Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns made Jedrick Wills Jr. their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here is their overall grade for the 2020 NFL Draft.
First Round
10
Jedrick Wills Jr.
OT Alabama Crimson Tide
Like every team picking in the top 10, the Cleveland Browns opted to stay put and make the best choice possible at their predetermined draft selection. We all knew Cleveland was going to take an offensive tackle at No. 10, but we had no idea which blue-chip prospect it would be. The Browns went with Jedrick Wills Jr. out of the University of Alabama with their first-round selection.
Wills was the second offensive tackle off the board, as the New York Giants went with Andrew Thomas out of the University of Georgia. Had the Arizona Cardinals taken an offensive tackle at No. 8 instead of linebacker Isaiah Simmons out of Clemson University, the Browns would have likely ended up with the third-best offensive tackle in the draft than arguably the very best.
The Lexington, Kentucky native was First-Team All-SEC in 2019, winning a national championship with the Crimson Tide back in 2017. At 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, Wills addresses a major need along the offensive line for the Browns. They upgraded at right tackle by signing former Tennessee Titans first-rounder Jack Conklin in free agency. Wills will be expected to be their other bookend.
With Wills, the Browns landed a guy who has played in a ton of big games, one who keeps a quarterback upright and one who sets the edge for a running back to sprint behind. Nick Chubb should love this pickup and so should Baker Mayfield. However, keep in mind Wills will have to switch tackle spots in the pros to protect Mayfield’s blindside as opposed to Tua Tagovailoa‘s.