The new faces in the Cleveland Browns' offensive line have not convinced experts that they will improve the team this season. Predictive NFL analyst Warren Sharp had made his opinion on the Browns' OL known, and it is alarming. 

In his July 8 X post, Sharpe ranked the Browns 32 overall.

The lack of Sharp’s faith in the Browns’ O-Line is not surprising. Last season, the line consisted of experienced but aged players such as now-retired Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, and Ethan Pocic. 

Last season, Shedeur Sanders, the team’s lead passer with 1,400 yards, was sacked 23 times. According to a report by The Athletic, he dealt with a 55.3 percent pressure rate as a rookie, the highest last year.

34-year-old Bitonio allowed 31 total pressures in pass protection, two sacks, and one hit in 1081 offensive snaps. Teller allowed 24 pressures, three sacks, and one hit. Conklin, also 31 like Teller, allowed four sacks and the same pressures as Teller. 

Sharp’s prediction for this season is not far from last season’s record. In a 2025 ranking by Pro Football Focus, the Browns’ OL ranked 31st, whereas the Denver Broncos' counterpart was No. 1.

Broncos’ Garett Bolles is as old as Bitonio, but his performance was superior. His 90.8 pass-blocking grade was the highest among all NFL tackles. The Browns’ overall offense was ranked 30th, which was marred by instability throughout the 17 games. 

The Browns sent in three quarterbacks to play in 2025. Rookies Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, and former veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The unstable quarterback roster, added to the slowing offensive line’s performance, has set low expectations overall. 

Starting in 2026, the franchise has roped in new faces like Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson, and Elgton Jenkins to revamp the starting line. Spencer Fano, the 2026 Draft’s first O-lineman pick, is set to be the left tackle. 

Despite an ongoing overhaul, Sharp’s beliefs point to a concerning situation for the Browns.

But there is still some hope for them. According to a roster assessment released by ESPN last week, the Browns’ 2026 starting lineup could just surprise everyone.

Cleveland Browns’ O-Line listed as "X factor" by ESPN

On July 6, ESPN released a new ranking of the best projected 2026 NFL roster and its starting lineup. The Browns are 31st overall on the list, but the offensive line is something to watch out for. 

“X factor for 2026: The remade offensive line,” Mike Clay of ESPN wrote on July 7. “The Browns are betting that the entirely new group will jell quickly and protect whoever is playing quarterback.” 

This OL is a mix of veterans who know how to anchor the line and a round-one rookie, Spencer Fano, who is fresh out of college with a formidable performance. The Browns could go either way this season, and only one assessment will prove to be correct. 

Do you think Cleveland's offensive line will trail at the end of the pack again? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar