Latest news with #offensiveline
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
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Browns Fourth-Round Pick Needs to Step Up in 2025
Browns Fourth-Round Pick Needs to Step Up in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For all the quarterback trouble the Cleveland Browns have seen over recent seasons, let's put at least some of the blame on the offensive line in front of them. Advertisement Last season alone, while the Browns were employing four different starters under center, the offensive line was responsible for a whopping 66 sacks. That was up from 45 sacks the season before, when Cleveland had five different starters. The Browns spent a fourth-round pick on Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand Jones in 2023, and he's failed to catch on so far across two seasons with the Browns. Pro Football Focus thinks that Jones is due for a make-or-break campaign next season. "Jones played three games at [left tackle] last year before suffering a fractured fibula that ended his season," analyst Dalton Wasserman wrote on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, he earned a subpar 44.1 PFF overall grade across those three outings. Veteran Cornelius Lucas could fill in if Jones is either injured or ineffective again, but the Browns desperately need young talent to emerge on their offensive line, and Jones is the most likely incumbent candidate." Advertisement After his rookie season, Jones was named the team's "most promising building block" heading into 2024 by Bleacher Report. He earned a 64.7 overall grade by Pro Football Focus for his efforts in his rookie season. But 2024 didn't go as planned. The former Buckeyes tackle sustained a major injury in the Browns' Week 11 loss to the Saints, but even before the injury, Jones was not playing to the standard he set in his rookie year. Pro Football Focus scored him an unimpressive 46.4 overall for the time he was on the field. The Cleveland offense was kind of a mess at that point, suffering from injuries to key players and from poor play at times. If Jones can completely recover and return to the play he displayed in 2023, he could help return the Browns' offensive line to the No. 2-ranked unit that it was in his rookie campaign. Related: Browns Coach Reveals 'Growing Pains' for First-Round Draft Pick Related: Insider Expects Nick Chubb to Return to Browns for One Reason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Giants' Joe Schoen happy with offensive line depth
The New York Giants' offensive line will hold a major key to the overall unit's success in 2025. While that's true for most teams, the Giants have an offense that likely won't survive without strong production from the offensive line. That typically means the group needs to stay in good health for the majority of the season. Advertisement During an appearance on the Bleav in Giants podcast with Bob Papa, general manager Joe Schoen went into some detail about how he feels about the offensive line depth. "Yeah, that's why we signed (James) Hudson in the offseason. We drafted (Marcus) Mbow, so we have some depth there. So you know, we're happy with our third and fourth tackle," Schoen said. "So again, like you hate to have to do that, you would really love [Andrew Thomas] to be out there, all 17 games, but you do have to protect yourself. And so, you know, that's another area where we added some depth." The biggest key for the Giants is left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has proven he can play at an elite level. However, injuries have kept him from consistently being in that conversation. Most recently, Thomas had to miss the majority of the 2024 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in Week 6. The Giants added Hudson as a backup offensive tackle, and they are also moving former first-round pick Evan Neal to the left side of the line, working mostly at left guard. Getting a big jump from center John Michael Schmitz in Year 3 would be a massive development for the entire offensive line as well. Advertisement The Giants' offense is certainly an intriguing unit with so many new pieces, but it will only go as far as the offensive line will take it. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Joe Schoen happy with offensive line depth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UNC football flips OL from SEC program
The North Carolina Tar Heels have pulled off a recruiting flip to add to their offensive line for the 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday. IMG Academy product Will Conroy announced on Wednesday that he is officially flipping from Oklahoma to North Carolina. The Tar Heels pick up a big commitment now and a recruiting win over an SEC program. Advertisement Conroy committed to Oklahoma in December of 2024, but the Tar Heels pursued him shortly after. With Bill Belichick taking over as head coach, he made efforts to head to the top high school programs in the country, including IMG which led them to Conroy and their pursit of him. He did visit UNC in March and that trip helped the Tar Heels, eventually leading to a flip. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman is ranked No. 532 nationally, No. 49 interior offensive lineman and the No. 76 player in the state of Florida per the 247Sports composite rankings. He becomes the 21st player to commit to UNC in the 2026 class which is currently ranked 16th on 247Sports. Advertisement Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football flips offensive lineman from Oklahoma.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Star Laremy Tunsil Oozes Excitement About Teammates
Commanders Star Laremy Tunsil Oozes Excitement About Teammates originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a single offseason, the Washington Commanders have built a sturdy foundation for the present and the future of their offensive line. Advertisement Last offseason, Washington was content with rookie Brandon Coleman playing left tackle, but when fellow rookie star Jayden Daniels was forced to scramble for his life all season, reinforcements were brought in. Acquiring perennial Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to start at LT could become the Commanders' most worthwhile investment for the immediate future. He's among the best in the game when healthy, and will help anchor a protection filled with youth. Adding to that young core, Washington goes back to to O-line well in this year's draft, picking Josh Conerly Jr. late in Round 1. All three of these pieces are expected to start (Coleman at left guard and Conerly at right tackle), and the Commanders got their first glimpses of the unit this past week at mandatory minicamp. Advertisement Of his outlook on the group? Tunsil kept it simple: "Dogs." "You know who I'm really impressed with, though?" Tunsil said to reporters in his first time in front of the Washington media. "JC (Conerly). JC is gonna be a dawg, and I'm not just saying that to blow smoke up his (expletive). JC is gonna be a dawg, man. I can't wait to see it. "Just the way he moves," Tunsil added. "The way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. I think he's got all the tools to be a damn good player in this league." It will be up to Tunsil, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL, to spearhead the line's development as a leader, but with this endorsement, Commanders fans should feel much more confident in their QB protection than they did last year. Advertisement Tunsil was acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans for a haul of draft picks this year and next. It forced Washington to have a small draft class in 2025, but Conerly projects as a plug-and-play prospect right away. Conerly comes by way of Oregon. The 6-5, 310-pounder started every game last season at left tackle, so moving to the right side could result in a slow adjustment. For the future? He is shaping up to take the reins at LT whenever Tunsil hangs them up. Coleman returns for his sophomore season after a decent rookie season at LT, grading 64.1 by PFF. It shouldn't be as much of an adjustment shifting inside to guard, but his frame will fit in nicely to form a wall next to Tunsil. The other spots are predicted to be filled in by center Tyler Biadasz and right guard Sam Cosmi. Advertisement Related: 'Additional Help' Reason For Commanders' Super Bowl Optimism Related: Dan Quinn Thrilled With Commanders' Mindset This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
DJ Lagway Issues Two-Word Reaction to Pittsburgh Landing 4-Star Offensive Lineman
DJ Lagway Issues Two-Word Reaction to Pittsburgh Landing 4-Star Offensive Lineman originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Four-star offensive lineman Day'jon Moore announced his commitment to the Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday following his official visit over the weekend. Advertisement Moore, a class of 2026 recruit, will be coming out of Willis High School in Texas and received offers from the Florida State Seminoles, Baylor Bears, Arizona State Sun Devils, Maryland Terrapins, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and SMU Mustangs. In his junior season, he started at left tackle and helped his team amass a 12-1 record and reach the third round of the Texas 6A D-II playoffs, according to his 247Sports player profile. He also played on the defensive line and recorded 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Following his commitment to the Panthers, Moore posted it on his Instagram account and received support from Florida Gators starting quarterback DJ Lagway, who also attended Willis High. 'Congrats fam 💯,' Lagway commented. Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images The Panthers have the No. 64 recruiting class in the country for the class of 2025. They brought in 13 players, including four-star athlete Josh Guerrier, three-star wide receiver Bryce Yates, three-star quarterback Mason Heintschel and three-star linebacker Denim Cook. Advertisement Here is a look at some of their other commits Three-star wide receiver Tony Kinsler Three-star athlete Ja'Kyrian Turner Three-star tight end Max Hunt Three-star wide receiver Cam Sapp The Panthers hold the No. 22 recruiting class for 2026, which includes three-star wide receiver Jaydon Dunbar, three-star linebacker Isaiah Simmons, three-star offensive tackle Nicholas Howard and three-star athlete Dylan Wester. Here is a look at some of their other commits Three-star halfback Damon Ferguson Three-star linebacker Reston Lehman Three-star linebacker Marcus Jennings Three-star wide receiver Demetrice McCray Check out the Panthers 2025 and 2026 full recruiting classes. Related: 5-Star Recruit Immanuel Iheanacho Names His Top 4 Schools This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
