NFL free agency: Centers the Browns should look at bringing in after Luke Wypler injury

Posted by author August 11, 2024 NFL

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As training camp approached, a quick glance at the Cleveland Browns roster revealed not many holes. And some of the holes were for backup positions.

As with every season, the offensive line goes through attrition. Last year was a horrible year for injuries among this group with three offensive tackles listed on IR, two guards hurt for several games, and guys being signed off of other team’s practice squads just to fill a starting five.

Center appeared to be a position of wealth. Starter Ethan Pocic had signed an extension in the 2023 off-season for three years and had a very good season last year. He has had his share of injuries, especially in 2022 with a back injury and a knee sprain and spent some time on IR.

The middle combination of LG Joel Bitonio, Pocic, and right guard Wyatt Teller was a comfortable sight indeed.

The Browns drafted Luke Wypler out of Ohio State in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He played some guard in mop-up situations and the entire Cincinnati Bengals game in Week 17 in which Cleveland rested all of their starters. In all, he played just 57 offensive snaps. This training camp, he was listed as the third center.

Brian Allen was signed in the off-season as the veteran backup after Nick Harris signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the free agency period. In five seasons, Allen had 32 NFL starts but none in 2023, although he played in five games. Signed in May, the former Los Angeles Rams starter suffered a calf injury in a camp practice. Eventually, the Browns released him from injured reserve with a settlement on August 3.

And now against the Green Bay Packers in the Browns first preseason game, Wypler was carted off the field in the second quarter after backup QB Tyler Huntley was grabbed from behind and then as he fell he rolled up on Wypler’s right ankle while engaged with his defender. Was it serious or just a twisted ankle or knee sprain perhaps? It looked serious on the replay.

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns

NBC Sports is reporting that Wypler fractured his ankle and will require surgery. That means his season is over before it begins. He will most likely land on IR after he is placed on the initial 53-man roster first.

Wypler has been viewed as the next center for the Browns once Pocic’s contract expires.

All of a sudden, the entire center group is in shambles. GM Andrew Berry is already on the phone trying to work out a contract for another body or two. But who? They need both a starting-caliber backup and a third guy to groom who has played the position in this league sparingly who will play for cheap.

Who is unsigned and ready to get on a plane tomorrow and get settled in with this offense?

Dawson Deaton (6’-1”, 306 pounds)

Age: 25

Once the Browns sign an established veteran like McGovern, they will need a third guy. Deaton was drafted by Cleveland in Round 7 of the 2022 NFL draft. He has been hurt several times which is not his fault. He knows Kevin Stefanski’s system, the playbook, the coaches know him, and he is unsigned.

In training camp of this rookie season, he tore his ACL during a practice which ended his year before it began. Deaton has ended up on injured reserve each of the past two seasons due to knee injuries and was released on an injury designation, but is healthy now.

When he was drafted, everything that was said about Wypler and the future of the franchise’s center position was the topic of conversation about Deaton as the center-in-waiting for the Browns.

Cleveland drafted him and wanted him on their roster until medical reasons got in the way.

Baltimore Ravens v Washington Commanders

Tyler Larsen (6’-4”, 335 pounds)

Age: 33

Larsen has a ton of experience most recently with the Washington Commanders. He has been in the NFL since 2014 and has played in 100 NFL games with 36 starts.

Larsen is a community-first guy who works with autism causes and is a great communicator along the offensive line. In three seasons he has had three knee injuries, so there is that. Big, experienced, wall-off zone blocker with a ceiling as a serviceable starter. Generally holds his ground.

He has short arms and struggles to maintain blocks on occasion. Another knock on him is that he possesses only average athleticism. Still, he can come in and play backup and start if needed.

Mike Panasiuk (6’-4”, 293 pounds)

Age: 27

Came out of college as a defensive tackle and was switched over. He was the best center in the United Football League this past spring and made All-UFL as the starting center for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Last year he was selected All-XFL after a good season.

Panasiuk was in Carolina Panthers training camp but was a last-day cut. After the XFL stint, he went to Pittsburgh Steelers camp and also was a product of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Notes:

Let’s examine all of the backup offensive line players on the Browns’ roster to see if any one of them has any center experience.

Michael Dunn played right tackle, left tackle, and right guard in college and is currently slated for backup guard. The same at Walt Whitman High School, so no center experience.
Javion Cohen played left guard at Alabama and then Miami but not center.
Zak Zinter in high school was selected as one of the area’s best right guards and named the #3 player in the State of Massachusetts, but no mention of ever having played center. He appeared in 45 games with 42 starts while at Michigan, all but one at right guard.
Lorenzo Thompson played in 37 consecutive games at left tackle at Rhode Island and is currently listed fourth on the depth chart at that same position.
Hakeem Adeniji is strictly an offensive tackle.
James Hudson played defense in high school and was switched to offensive right tackle his sophomore year at Michigan. No center experience.
Zack Johnson also played defense in high school, then 30 games at right tackle followed by 15 contests at right guard. He played in the UFL at the same position but played center versus the Packers Saturday night after the Wypler injury.
Wyatt Davis came out of high school as the nation’s #1 offensive guard. He has played right guard in the NFL but at all three levels never lined up at center.
Germain Ifedi was listed as the #13 offensive guard prospect in his high school class. Played 35 games at right tackle for Texas A&M but none at center.
Roy Mbaeteka (6’-8”, 331 pounds) is a Nigerian International player and did not play football in high school. He is currently listed on the depth chart as the fourth right tackle and has zero experience at center.
It is pointless to research if Dawand Jones played center in high school since he was born almost three feet long.
Former Steelers center Mason Cole is just 28 years old, but he did a horrendous job in pass protection this past season and was much better in prior years. He started every game in 2022 and 2023 and is currently available.
Or, let’s see if we still have J.T. Tretter’s cell phone number. Can someone just run by his house located in Avon, Ohio and see if he is still in shape?