Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Dawand Jones had an impressive rookie campaign in 2023 and was named the team's "most promising building block" heading into 2024 by Bleacher Report.
Jones earned a 64.7 overall grade by Pro Football Focus for his efforts in his rookie season. But 2024 didn't go as planned.
The former Ohio State Buckeyes tackle sustained a major injury in the Browns' Week 11 loss to the Saints last season. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot updated Jones' recovery as we head into the meat of the offseason.
“Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones, who suffered a broken fibula in Week 11 against the Saints that required surgery, is back working out in the voluntary offseason program and preparing to start the season at left tackle,” Cabot wrote. “Jones, who missed the last seven games of the season, is at a good weight and poised to pick up where he left off when he started three games at left tackle last season.”
Even before the injury, Jones was not playing to the standard he set in 2023. Pro Football Focus scored him an unimpressive 46.4 overall for the time he was on the field.
The Cleveland offense was kind of a mess last season, suffering from injuries to key players and from poor play at times. If Jones can completely recover and return to the play he displayed in 2023, he could help return the Browns' offensive line to the No. 2-ranked unit that it was in his rookie campaign.