Browns' 2024 Breakout Player: Dawand Jones

Cleveland Browns sophomore offensive tackle Dawand Jones flashed high-end starting potential as a rookie. Jones now enters his second season in Cleveland as a player whose arrow is pointing up. He's not guaranteed a starting gig to begin the campaign, but he projects as a breakout candidate and future solution nonetheless.

The No. 111 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones entered his debut year as a reserve. Jones was quickly catapulted into the starting lineup with right tackle Jack Conklin suffering season-ending torn ACL and MCL injuries in Week 1.

Jones made his first career start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 and consistently looked prepared for the role. The former Ohio State blocker pitched a shutout versus the Tennessee Titans the following week, allowing zero pressures, hits, or hurries. Jones continued displaying strong technique and results, particularly as a pass blocker.

Jones' season was unfortunately cut short as well. He suffered a season-ending knee injury of his own during an early December practice mere days before Cleveland's Week 14 contest versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. It represented a premature end to Jones' impressive rookie season, but the sample size was large enough to indicate a bright future.

Jones started 10 games and played in 11, earning 710 total snaps at right tackle. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing just 3.0 sacks. Jones allowed three pressures or less in nine of his appearances en route to a pass-blocking grade of 73.0. He also played a disciplined brand of football, whistled for just two penalties.

The Browns have decisions to make at both offensive tackle positions entering training camp. Conklin has been deemed healthy and fully recovered from his ACL injury, which was the second of his career. Conklin is signed through 2026 with three remaining seasons on a previously signed four-year, $60 million extension. Releasing him from that contract becomes an appetizing option next offseason ($16.6 million cap savings with $2.7 million in dead money).

There's also a question on the left side with Jedrick Wills. The former 10th overall pick has been wildly inconsistent. The Browns triggered Willis' fifth-year option for the upcoming campaign, but haven't shown much interest in discussing a long-term extension with him. He's entering a contract year as a result.

Like Conklin and Jones, Wills ended the 2023 campaign on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury. He allowed 29 pressures last season via just 319 pass-blocking snaps. Jones is a natural right tackle, but the Browns would be wise to cross-train him at left tackle throughout training camp. Jones should be ready to play a swing tackle role if necessary, and he could be an option to play left tackle in 2025 and beyond.

Knowing both Conklin and Wills had complicated contracts moving forward, Jones was drafted by general manager Andrew Berry to be an eventual starter. He proved plenty capable through a larger-than-expected sample size as a rookie. It may not happen right away, but Jones will replace Conklin or Wills at some point.