About the Tackle depth... James Hudson specifically. I recall reading somewhere near the end of last season that Hudon's improvement was observable. I did a very brief search and didn't find the definitive article making this claim.
But I did find
thisNot a slam dunk endorsement but some reason for
optimism (I know that's a bad word here but clearly I don't care). The team took him in the fourth round last year so in his rookie year expectations should have been in line with where he was slotted.
Being in year two with Callahan's coaching I'm optimistic that he will develop.Former Bearcats Offensive Tackle James Hudson III a key Piece in Browns' Playoff Hopes
The right tackle started for an injured Jack Conklin against the Baltimore Ravens.
RUSS HELTMANDEC 13, 2021
CINCINNATI — James Hudson III is the next man up in Cleveland as the Browns push for an AFC North title. The former Bearcat offensive lineman is the Browns' new starting right tackle after Jack Conklin went down for the year with an injury.
The rookie didn't blow away the Baltimore Ravens front seven with his performance in Cleveland's 24-22 win on Sunday, but he held up just enough. According to PFF, Hudson finished with a 44.5 overall grade. That was second-worst on the Browns offensive line, and his team-low 28.7 run-blocking grade played the biggest part.
NFL teams don't pay tackles for great run blocking; they pay them for how well they protect the quarterback, and Hudson was much better on that front. He finished his 65 snaps with a 65.2 pass-blocking grade, including two pressures allowed and no sacks given up.
This game was Hudson's second NFL start after filling in for an injured Conklin in Week 6. He has appeared in eight games for the Browns this season and holds a 44.3 overall PFF grade. Cleveland is in a war with five other AFC teams at 7-6; wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals over the final month of the season would give them a strong chance to capture the AFC North.
They'll be relying on the former UC mauler to slow down pass rushes along the way. Hudson and the Browns face Las Vegas this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
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Browns Wire linkBreaking down the Browns' Week 17 grades from Pro Football Focus
Jeff Risdon
January 4, 2022 12:31 pm ET
Way Too Early Predictions: 2022 NFL Divisional Winners | Clear Play
The Pro Football Focus grades from the Cleveland Browns’ Week 17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers nicely illustrate the sharp divide between Cleveland’s offense and defense. Nearly all the top grades were earned by players from Joe Woods’ defense, while the offense lagged considerably behind.
Right guard Wyatt Teller was the only Browns offensive player to top a score of 70, earning a 74.4 in his 71 snaps. The rest of the top-10 Browns grades from the game belonged to defensive players.
Cornerback A.J. Green tops the list with a fantastic 91.7 overall grade. He didn’t allow a single completion in 27 coverage snaps. Green’s score would have been even higher if not for a missed tackle.
The rest of the top 10 (min. 12 snaps):
S Richard LeCounte – 82.2
S M.J. Stewart – 81.3
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – 80.5
DE Myles Garrett – 78.8
LB Anthony Walker – 74.4
Teller – 74.4
CB Greg Newsome – 73.6
LB Sione Takitaki – 70.8
DT Malik McDowell – 67.7
It wasn’t all roses for the defense, however. Several thorny grades pockmarked the unit, notably along the line. Four linemen brought up the rear on the defense with grades below 50: Tommy Togiai, Malik Jackson, Jordan Elliott and Porter Gustin.
On offense, TE Austin Hooper earned the lowest grade and that was with PFF being charitable in only assessing one dropped pass on his ledger. Three Baker Mayfield passes hit both of his hands only to not result in a completion, with the last being an interception.
Right tackle James Hudson earned an overall grade of 50.9, a higher mark than expected. PFF liked his run blocking enough to counter the three sacks and five QB pressures he allowed in the game. Punter Dustin Colquitt also had the lowest-graded game of his 17-year career.Breaking down the Browns' Week 17 grades from Pro Football Focus.
( < I fear the Browns will have a 5 game losing streak at some point this upcoming season.)
