The Cleveland Browns have had issues with their offensive line all season. After training camp, it appeared this group would regain that prominence they had back when offensive line coach Bill Callahan
was in-house.
Except for LT Jed Wills, it was the same guys who were named the #2 unit back in 2023. And with Dawand Jones now the left tackle, that appeared to be an upgrade.
RELATED: BROWNS LOSE ANOTHER O-LINEMAN TO SEASON-ENDING INJURY
But as the season rolled along, things changed. Jones became hurt – again. This time it was a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee and a hamstring avulsion. This placed him on IR. He has been in the league three seasons, and has found IR his home all three years.
RT Jack Conklin had an elbow injury, followed by being in concussion protocol. His neighbor, RG Wyatt Teller, is dealing with a calf strain.
All that remained from this once prestigious group was C Ethan Pocic and seven-time Pro Bowl LG Joel Bitonio.
Until this weekend, that is.
In the fourth quarter of the loss to the previously one-win Tennessee Titans, Pocic went down to the turf holding his leg. He had torn his Achilles’ tendon.
An Achilles injury is usually a nine-month process and is quite serious. It occurs in the back of the ankle and usually needs surgery, followed by immobilization and physical therapy. With four games remaining on the schedule, Pocic won’t return and is set for free agency.
Already, the Browns are using Cam Robinson at LT, inserted KT Leveston at RT, and used Teven Jenkins at Wyatt’s RG spot. That’s three backups now starting.
And now Pocic is out? He was the offensive line’s rock. Through Week 11, he played every offensive snap. He left the San Francisco 49ers game late because Cleveland was getting killed. His backup, Luke Wypler, came in for seven snaps to close out the game and get some experience.
When Pocic went out against the Titans, Wypler came in and played 24 snaps. He did pretty well considering he hasn’t had much live game experience.
Pocic signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension in 2023 and then suffered a knee injury in Week 11. He was placed on IR on November 22 and then activated on December 23, but has been healthy ever since.
Wypler was drafted that same year in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Ohio State University.
And now, he is the next man up.
Beginnings
Wypler (6′-3”, 300 pounds) played center, tackle, and defensive tackle at powerhouse St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. He had good speed, clocked at 4.85 in the 40, with his weight at 280 pounds. He could bench 340 pounds with a deadlift of 575 pounds. Wypler also played lacrosse and was on his school’s wrestling team.
He had offers from Notre Dame, Purdue, UCLA, Stanford, Nebraska, North Carolina, Duke, Ohio State, Maryland, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Boston College, Penn State, North Carolina State, West Virginia, Florida, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Virginia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Rutgers, and Syracuse.
He was ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN and 24/7 Sports and was ranked as the Number 2 center in his class. His final two colleges came down to Stanford and Ohio State.
Wypler started at center in one game during his true freshman year before redshirting. As he entered his redshirt freshman year, he played all 13 games. At season’s end, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big 10.
In 2021, he lost his job and was expected tobe a backup, but was thrown back into the starting lineup when the starter Harry Miller became injured against Minnesota. Wypler came through once again and became the anchor. He allowed just one sack and seven hurries all season. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him the Number 3 center in the nation with a grade of 82.5. At season’s end, he was named Third Team All-Big 10.
Wypler then experienced two full seasons under his belt with a high-powered offense in a tough conference, such as the Big-10. He had 26 starts and allowed just one sack in 918 pass block snaps.
In his final year at Ohio State, Wypler finished with a 99.2% pass-blocking efficiency grade according to PFF.
Wypler and Jones came to Cleveland in the same draft.
Why the big fall?
Wypler was expected to be either a Day 2 or early Day 3 draft selection. ESPN had projected him to be selected by the Chicago Bears at the top of the third round at Number 64.
And yet, in the sixth round, the Browns found him sitting there at Number 190. That is quite a big fall. Why? He was a notable name.
Mainly, it is because he is following his third-year sophomore season by declaring for the draft, which surprised many in the Ohio State program. His decision was based on information that stated he had a third-round grade.
Wypler was considered one of the most athletic centers in college football. He was stout at the point of attack, even against much bigger defensive tackles.
But the big knock on him was that he gets off-balance often and will lose early in the rep of engagement.
Yes, he has quickness, is good at pulling, and is a very good run blocker. And while he is indeed a technician, he was considered to become only an average starter in the right scheme.
He is a player who will move vertically very well, but does have some lateral concerns. He also plays with solid pad level and is able to get up under his defender’s shoulder pads, and while he doesn’t always move his man, the route into the backfield is definitely closed off.
Wypler’s burst off the snap could be more explosive, but he has no issue getting into the second level, making a decision of which man to attack, and remaining engaged.
Wypler is a good athlete, just not an elite athlete. He is also intelligent. His feisty disposition, along with good athleticism, are the main portions of his game, along with the fact that players just don’t go through him or get through his gap.
The issue with Wypler at the center position is that he often leans and loses balance against the power rushers. His short arms struggle with leverage, and he will have occasional bouts with lateral movement.
The Browns have used him as the backup center, but also to play either guard spot. And he appears to be a better prospect at guard than at center as long as Pocic remains healthy. So far this season, Wypler has only played 62 snaps on offense and 42 on special teams blocking on punt team. Some of these offensive snaps were lined up in Cleveland’s jumbo package.
Now, Wypler is the starting center for the Browns. He is the next man up and a preview of what could be in Cleveland next season.
