Second year offensive lineman Austin Corbett is working with the Cleveland Browns second team during organized team activities.
Austin Corbett has been seen working with second team during OTA’s. While Corbett was drafted as a guard, he is taking snaps at center. Kyle Kalis has been seeing time as the starting right guard. A role that many expected Corbett to slide right into after the Browns traded Kevin Zietler to the Giants.
Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens did not make much of this when asked about it. Referencing the fact that the team needs to find out what a player is capable of and what positions they can or cannot play. While this may be true, it is still concerning about a second year player who was drafted fairly high. Corbett was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Players selected this high in the draft are expected to produce early. As of now that is yet to happen.
Now it is possible that the team is playing the long game here. J.C. Tretter is a free agent after the season and Corbett may be in the process of being groomed to be his replacement. If Cleveland decided to go down this route it would not be hard to argue with. There will be a time down the line where the Browns will need to manage their payroll. Corbett’s contract over the next three seasons combined is less expensive than what Tretter is making this season.
At the end of the day Cleveland will need to fully evaluate exactly what they have in regards to their offensive line. Whether that means Kyle Kalis gets the starting spot at right guard over Austin Corbett remains to be seen. All that will matter is that the Browns will put together the best offensive line unit they can to protect Baker Mayfield.
