Browns pick Wills at No. 10
The Cleveland Browns selected offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. out of Alabama in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 10th overall.
Cleveland desperately needed to improve Baker Mayfield's protection after the quarterback was sacked 40 times in his sophomore season.
The Browns made a splash early in free agency, signing former Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin to a big-money deal. Wills also played right tackle throughout his Alabama career, so one will need to transition to left tackle.
The 20-year-old started 28 games across his sophomore and junior seasons.
Prospect Profile
School: Alabama
Height: 6-4
Weight: 312 lbs
Positives
- Advanced pass-protector
- Quick and efficient movement out of stance and into set points
- Varied punch timing with excellent placement in pass protection
- Great lateral quickness to mirror rushers and shut down counters
- Patience to avoid opening up too early
- Base strength and leverage technique to anchor vs. power
- Impressive power and drive as a run-blocker
- Smooth working to second level off combo blocks
- Ultra-competitive finisher, plays through whistle
Negatives
- Transition required for LT role
- Inconsistent hand usage in run game
- Will struggle to lock out as run-blocker due to hand placement
- Untimely pre-snap penalty issues
Bottom line
If it wasn't for a generational wide-receiver class, many would be talking about how intriguing this year's group of offensive tackles is. And Wills is the star. An advanced pass-protector by prospect standards, the Alabama standout can step in and be a difference-maker in the NFL immediately. While he's got some technical things to clean up in the run game, he's also shown upside for high-level impact there, too. Wills' combination of athleticism, power, and toughness - along with a productive SEC resume - is more than enough to get him drafted early.