The Cleveland Browns have their work cut out for them for the offseason. They need solid reinforcements to the offensive line. With the likes of Joel Bitonio and more becoming free agents, the Browns have set their sights on former Green Bay Packers’ offensive tackle Rasheed Walker.

However, Cory Kinnan from the Browns Wire is not convinced this is the right move for the Browns.

He writes, "This is a pitfall the Browns must avoid... It is rare that teams let good offensive tackles hit NFL free agency. In fact, if you look at the top-20 top-paid offensive tackles in the NFL right now, all but one of them were extended by their current team or traded for and then extended. The top-20 paid offensive tackle who was a free agency signing is the Tennessee Titans' offensive tackle, Dan Moore."

Dan Moore signed a 4-year $82 million contract with the Tennessee Titans last year. Kinnan says Moore commanded such a high price due to the dearth of offensive tackles in the market, which has brought up the value for tackles like Dan Moore. Kinnan predicts that this would be the same case with Walker as well.

 In 2022, Walker signed a four-year, $3.74 million rookie contract with the Green Bay Packers. Now, Spotrac has estimated his future contract to be a 4-year, $81.1 million contract.

This contract would make Walker one of the top 10 highest-paid tackles in the NFL. But there is doubt whether Walker can translate his paycheck to performance on the field.

In comparison with the Browns' left tackle Cam Robinson, there is little difference between Walker's (53.7 RBLK grade and 69.3 PBLK grade) and Robinson’s (48.3 RBLK grade, 56.2 PBLK grade) stats.

Kinnan has warned the Browns not to overpay for an average tackle and suggested alternate options instead, including taking advantage of the 2026 NFL Draft, where rookies could represent a more bargain buy and long-term solution to their offensive tackle problem.

Is looking to draft a left tackle the best route for the Browns?

The Cleveland Browns are going into the 2026 NFL Draft with three draft picks in the top 40. Kinnan noted this and suggested that the Browns can even draft two tackles with the picks they have. He is suggesting college tackles like Monroe Freeling from Georgia and Francis Mauigoa from Miami.

The other option he suggested is to sign a cheaper, older veteran as a short-term solution to plug the gap. Some options he is referring to are New York Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor, Arizona Cardinals’ Jonah Williams, and Indianapolis Colts' Braden Smith.

Looks like the best route for the Browns to go would be to go ahead with the NFL draft picks. Who do you think would be the best fit for the Browns squad? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar