Cleveland Browns: 2018 NFL Draft can secure future success

Trade out of No. 4 and draft a new left tackle

The Browns officially have a void at left tackle now that the sure-fire Hall-of-Famer Joe Thomas retired. Now sitting at No. 4 with the quarterback of future well in hand, the Browns are playing with house money. Teams that are vying for a valuable quarterback option will look to jump into that fourth spot.

And the Browns will be wise to simply just trade it away and gather more picks. There are a quiet a few teams who will undoubtably look to jump into the top 10, like Buffalo, Washington or Miami. The reason being, is that there isn’t a left tackle worthy of the No. 4 pick.

However, the two best left tackles, Norte Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and Texas’ Connor Williams will be available within the top 15. For the Browns, they need a guy who can maul in the run game who can combo as an offensive guard. There’s no better left tackle in the draft at stone-walling defenders and using his agility and athleticism to get to the second level in the running game.

In fact, Williams grades out as Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller’s No. 1 OT and ranks inside is top 15 prospects. 

Even if the Browns don’t find any trade partners, drafting a guy as talented as Williams would be fine. They are loaded with picks and have acquired the necessary pieces to take risks by reaching for a guy. Adding Connor Williams to a line that featured Joel Bitonio, Kevin Zeitler, and newley acquired Chris Hubbard would give Tyrod Taylor the protection he needs.