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NFL 2018: Every team’s biggest training camp battle

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Shon Coleman Cleveland Browns
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 31: John Jenkins #73 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Shon Coleman #72 of the Cleveland Browns during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 31, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns: Left Tackle

Most of the attention this preseason for the Cleveland Browns will center around quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield. Taylor was brought in to be their starter this offseason and be a placeholder for Mayfield. The team seems dead set on keeping Mayfield under wraps until at least his second year, so there should be no controversy there.

Now, whether or not it makes any sense to draft a guy No. 1 overall and completely waste a season of his rookie contract just because you screwed up your picks before is for a different day altogether. For the purposes of open battles though, we look to arguably the second-most important position on an offense — left tackle.

The blindside protector can make, or break a season and the Browns currently have no one to feel good about. Sure, they’ll tout their options and throw out Shon Coleman as the favorite and say there’s also Greg Robinson and of course Austin Corbett or Joel Bitonio moving from guard just in case they’re needed.

All those options simply mean they have no left tackle. Coleman wasn’t very good on the right side and shifting him to a more difficult position may not be the best answer. However, he could be their best answer right now.

Whatever they end up doing, Cleveland needs someone to step up and play well on the blindside or it won’t matter who plays quarterback.

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