The Smartest Pick Browns Made in 2020 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns went through yet another regime change this offseason in what has seemed like an annual process repeating itself over and over. New general manager Andrew Berry was in charge of the draft process, and some fans feared he would try to trade down instead of addressing obvious needs.

Yet the new head man did not take on a full rebuild approach like Sashi Brown did back in 2016 when Berry had his first stint with the Browns. Instead, he made his smartest pick at No. 10 overall and took the best player available who filled the most glaring need on the roster.

Browns fans got so used to Joe Thomas holding down left tackle that the position was never in focus during the draft in Cleveland's recent extended flop-filled era. That changed upon his retirement, and the selection of Jedrick Wills was a great one by the front office. The former Alabama lineman did play on the right side of the line in college, but was still protecting Tua Tagovailoa's blindside. Wills has a great mentor to learn from in Thomas, and is already a force at 6-4 and over 300 pounds.

There is always a risk baked in when drafting an offensive lineman. Making the transition to the NFL is not easy. But on paper, this move was a great one by the Browns. Wills was not a reach at all ,and was part of an elite offense at Alabama. He should be a major upgrade over Greg Robinson, who was arrested this offseason for possessing an absurd amount of marijuana.

Stories like Robinson's have made the Browns a punchline for a long time, yet players like Thomas have come in and brought some respect to the team. Wills now has the chance to do the same and be a cornerstone on the team by protecting Baker Mayfield for years to come.