Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 3

Round 5: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State – 6-6, 311 lbs. (Listed)

There are some questions that need to be answered on the offensive line, but they have a strong core. It comes down to whether they re-sign Greg Robinson and does Joel Bitonio potentially have a future at left tackle with Austin Corbett going to left guard to get the best five on the field or if they just keep the same unit that finished this year. Regardless, they need to keep adding and developing offensive linemen because the NFL never has enough.

Tytus Howard is huge with a great frame for offensive tackle with some intriguing athletic traits. He went to the Hornets initially as a tight end after playing quarterback in high school before growing into an offensive tackle and the movement skills and flexibility from tight end are evident.

Howard is still raw, but he bends really well and knows how to get behind his pads as a run blocker, generating a good amount of power. His issues largely stem from two areas. His stance, which he gets nothing out of currently and consistency in pass protection. A lineman should use his stance to generate power initially to get out quicker and with some power, but Howard doesn’t press the ground and really just steps, so he doesn’t kick out as quick as he could and he undermines his power.

So when he’s able to go forward or block down, he looks pretty solid but could get even stronger. In pass protection, so often he looks like he’s off balance and trying not to get overpowered. If he got more explosion out of his stance, he’d get in position quicker, further and bring more power to initial contact.

Howard can also do a better job of anchoring and just cleaning up some technical failings that would make it easier to succeed. He’s doing an awful lot on instinct and as he gets more comfortable, confident, that should help everything.

Howard has a big opportunity to showcase his ability at the Senior Bowl, but given how difficult it will be to address what he’s doing wrong in a short amount of time, it wouldn’t be surprise if he struggles in the pit drills. The hope is that he looks solid run blocking against better competition, he showcases the athleticism that makes him interesting and hopefully takes coaching and improves over the course of the week.

For the Browns, Howard represents another developmental tackle that could give them depth in case of injury and should have more long term potential than someone like Desmond Harrison. They don’t need him to play now, can afford to take their time developing him. Howard could also be the second Alabama State offensive tackle drafted in two years as Jylan Ware went in the seventh round in 2017 to the Oakland Raiders.