BEREA ― It’s not just the quarterback position where Browns coach Todd Monken’s perfect world would include clarity by the end of the offseason program. It’s also with the offensive line.
The Browns’ second-biggest question coming into the final phase of the offseason program, which has been the on-field portion of it, has concerned that line. They’re attempting to essentially rebuild the entire starting five, almost exclusively from pieces they acquired this offseason.
“As we start to move the pieces around and get them together, I think we’ll have a better idea,” Monken said after the Browns’ eighth OTA June 3. “I don’t know that yet, though. I have a pretty good idea in the O-line, I really feel like I have a pretty good idea of four of the five. And then we got to figure out who’s that fifth. Does that make sense?
“I really feel good about the three we’re brought in and [first-round draft pick Spencer] Fano, and then who’s going to be the fifth?”
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The final OTA out of 10 will be June 5, with the mandatory three-day minicamp running June 9-11. After that, the next time the Browns will be together on the field will be late July for training camp.
The last week of OTAs did bring with it one noticeable change from the first two weeks, of which only one a week was open to the media. That was at left tackle, where Fano — selected with the No. 9 overall pick out of the University of Utah — was working with what would safely be called the No. 1 offensive line group instead of Dawand Jones.
Fano, meanwhile, had worked with the second group, which also included fellow April draft picks Parker Brailsford at center and Austin Barber at right tackle. Monken wouldn’t speculate on if the next step was for Brailsford to eventually move up to the No. 1 center spot.
“We’ll still have to see that,” Monken said. “We’ll have to see. We’ll let it compete. It’s very hard up front till we get the pads on. We really aren’t even there yet. Like, we won’t even get there until you’re five days into camp. Hell, we’ve got next week without pads — five, six weeks till they come back, and then we have a week without pads. … You’ll see where we are at from a physicality standpoint, get to the preseason games, see how those guys handle it. But we’re excited about all of our young players.”
When Monken talks about having a good idea who four of the five starters will be, that includes free-agent signee Zion Johnson at left guard next to Fano, and Tytus Howard at right tackle after they acquired him in a March trade from the Houston Texans. Free-agent signee Elgton Jenkins also factors into that foursome, although he’s been the swing player in some regards.
Jenkins, who’s returning from a season-ending ankle injury, has worked at center when he’s been on the field this offseason. However, while he’s played center previously both at Mississippi State University and during his seven previous seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he was a two-time Pro Bowler at guard.
Jack Conley was the first player up at right guard during this week’s open OTA, although he’s also worked at right tackle when Howard’s been away tending to family matters. Both Jenkins on the roster — Elgton and Teven, who started the final five games at right guard for the Browns in 2025 — are also candidates for the spot, with Elgton Jenkins the more likely option.
“I think Elgton could be guard or center,” Monken said. “I think probably the right side. You know, somewhere in there — center, guard, tackle, Fano, and then let’s figure it out. I think those are our four pieces right now. And then where that fifth comes from, I think we’ll continue to battle, especially once we get the pads on because we still have the rest of the depth to work out, you know, who we’re going to keep on the 53 and who’s going to be a part of our practice squad.”
Outside of Howard, who missed a few of the voluntary workouts for personal reasons, the offensive linemen have all been mostly present through the OTAs. That’s provided plenty of chances to look at many of them at a number of positions.
The next step, which will take place in training camp, is finding the core group of linemen they’re most comfortable with going into the season. Monken joked that number was “11” when asked how many he needs to find before he went a little more in-depth into the real number.
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“I mean, first off, you’re just trying to find five,” Monken said. “I think there’s this thought that, I mean, that we’re certainly going to find five. Then we’ve got to find those we feel comfortable at tackle, right? Who’s our third tackle? Because that’s going to be different. Who’s our next center? Who’s a swing guard when you dress eight?
“So really you want to feel comfortable with eight. That’s really where you’re thinking. Who’s going to be … your backup center and tackle? I wouldn’t say it’s easier, but I think guard is a little easier to transition. But I think finding whoever’s going to be your next center and then who’s going to be your backup tackle is critical.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Todd Monken trying to solve Browns’ No. 1 offensive line questions
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
