Could Braxton Jones Be the Browns’ Unexpected Game-Changer This Free Agency?

The Cleveland Browns find themselves at a crossroads with their offensive line heading into this season. Can they truly overhaul all five starters? It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when OT Dawand Jones remains on the roster but has battled multiple stints on injured reserve in the last three years—a glaring red flag for any team depending on durability. The Browns’ front office faces a critical question: hold on to familiar faces or shake things up to build a sturdier foundation? With a freshly hired offensive guru at the helm, it’s clear the offense’s fortunes rest heavily on upgrading those O-line trenches. Meanwhile, whispers surround the fates of key linemen like Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio, whose contracts and injury histories cast uncertainties. The coming months promise a whirlwind of decisions—draft picks, free-agent pursuits, and potential roster shakeups—that will define the Browns’ offensive identity. Buckle up; a seismic shift may be just around the corner. LEARN MORE

What exactly will the Cleveland Browns do with their offensive line this year? Can they really replace all five guys? OT Dawand Jones is still under contract, so he is most likely to remain, but he has been placed on IR three times in three years. It would surprise nobody if the team were to move on from him since he cannot stay healthy.

RELATED: UPDATE ON BITONIO’S FUTURE

Something has to be done with this group. The Browns hired an offensive-minded guy for their new head coach, and the offense isn’t going anywhere without a terrific O-Line.

Now that the Tennessee Titans have fired their head coach, many would love to see former Browns O-Line coach Bill Callahan come back to Cleveland. What’s that? He signed on with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta? D’oh!

The status of RT Jack Conklin is that his contract went through the 2026 season. But last year, he accepted a revision that took a year off the four-year deal he signed in 2022, and he was paid more last year. That now makes him a free agent, and so far, no extension talks have surfaced. When he is healthy, Conklin is one of the best. However, he is always hurt. He has only played in 57 games out of 102 since signing in 2020.

Offensive linemen listed on the Browns free agent list are LG Joel Bitonio, RG Wyatt Teller, LT Cam Robinson, C Ethan Pocic, OG Teven Jenkins, and Conklin.

In 2025, the Browns’ offensive line was ranked #31. Lots of players became injured, and at one time, it was a revolving door of new bodies. Both starting tackles ended up on IR.

Something has to be done for this upcoming season.

Cleveland GM Andrew Berry will need to fix the offensive line this offseason. There are plenty of options in April’s NFL draft in all rounds. Then, there is the free agency route, which would bring in some seasoned veterans. Both the guard and tackle spots need new bodies.

Let’s look at what Jones can offer the Browns.

OT Braxton Jones

Chicago Bears

6’-5”, 306 pounds

Age: 26

NFL draft: 2022 Round 5, pick #168 (Bears)

PFF ranking: 55.5

Accolades: Two-time First Team All-Big Sky (2020, 2021), Third Team All-Big Sky (2019), Sophomore Hero Sports All-American (2019), Big Sky All-Academic Team (2021), FCS First Team All-American (2021), NFL All-Rookie Team (2022)

40 time: 4.97

2025 season: 4 starts, 210 offensive snaps (53%)

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Jones is a former high school basketball star and was named Offensive MVP of his football squad twice, where he played offensive guard and tackle. Very intelligent player.

He started all 17 games as a rookie and made the league All-Rookie squad. In Week 2 of his sophomore campaign, he pulled a hamstring that kept him out six games before returning in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and played just 52 snaps.

The following week, he was back to speed and started the final eight games playing every snap. In 2024, he missed five games and played sparingly in two others. This past season, he played in the first six games, and then a knee injury placed him on IR once again. Right before the Bears’ divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, the team activated him. He has missed 24 games in four seasons.

Jones is a very good pass blocker, grading out at 80.8 in 2024 and 62.7 this year before the injury.

He is an agile tackle who never stops moving his feet. He is an athletic pass blocker who is a bit nasty. Jones offers good height and long arms with good knee bend. He will also stay with a wide base. Very smart player and a solid positional run blocker.

He has above-average body control but will fire off the snap. Jones has a bad habit of lunging and will lose balance on occasion.

Jones would offer the Browns a player who will give stability and not break the bank. He was injured for most of 2025, which means he has fresh legs and is young enough to rebound. He made $3.66 million last year and is now in line for a good payday.

He could offer a good replacement who has a lot of game experience, and yet again, he is susceptible to injury, and the team already has two of those.