The Cleveland Browns have signed former Chicago Bears lineman Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann.
There was a feeling that the Browns were going to make some moves in regards to their offensive line. Austin Corbett is now a starter after Kevin Zeitler was dealt to New York. The Browns needed to find someone to occupy the previously vacant backup guard role.
Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann were both members of the Chicago Bears last season. Now they will make their home in Cleveland. Kush and Witzmann split time in Chicago taking the place of an injured Kyle Long. While the task of replacing Zeitler is not easy, finding quality backups will certainly help. Kush actually had a better pass blocking efficiency than both Zeitler and Joel Bitonio per Pro Football Focus.
The fact that both Chicago and Cleveland appear on this list is encouraging. The Browns clearly had one of the better offensive lines as last season progressed and adding players from a productive Bears line will also help. Granted it is a group effort, but every little bit helps. The Browns guards will have their hands full in helping out their offensive tackles next season.
The group the Browns featured at tackle last season were far from good. Greg Robinson relieved an underperforming Desmond Harrison at midseason and performed much better. However he was not exactly good by any means. Chris Hubbard also struggled in pass protection. With Cleveland’s tackles ranking so low, it is apparent that they have some of the worst performers in the league when it comes to pass blocking efficiency.
Cleveland needs to ensure they do everything they can to protect Baker Mayfield. Bringing aboard quality depth pieces like Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann will certainly help. With the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. the Browns expect to be fairly pass heavy, adding quality pass protection will just make the offense just that more dangerous.