The Cleveland Browns desperately need some help on their offensive line, but may be hesitant to break the bank in free agency. One player who is projected at the lower end of the market is Chicago Bears left tackle Braxton Jones, a player who has multiple years of starting experience and has graded out quite well during that time. Is Jones a quality option for the Browns, or is he a player whose on-paper grades may not match up with his tape?
Braxton was originally drafted in the 5th round back in 2022 out of tiny Southern Utah, and started for Chicago for three-plus seasons over four years with the team. He was never a fantastic player, and the Bears decided to replace him in 2025 after injury, but Jones graded out surprisingly well. Over his three mostly full seasons as a starter, he allowed a 6.8% pressure rate and in 2024 earned a 77.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, with an impressive 80.8 mark as a pass blocker (16th in the league) and 70.2 as a run blocker. For reference, Cam Robinson, whom the Browns should also consider bringing back, had an 8.9% pressure rate last year.
With his 35.375" arms, Jones has elite length for a tackle, and is quite athletic as well. His 40-yard dash time was especially impressive, and he was the kind of athletic small-school OT prospect that it seemed Andrew Berry would have been interested in.
Braxton Jones RAS
He has dealt with some serious injuries over the past few seasons (fractured ankle late in 2024), which affected him early in 2025 before he went down again after four weeks due to a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. Strength is perhaps Jones' biggest weakness, so him having a full offseason of work (he came off IR just in time for the playoffs, but didn't see the field) will hopefully help him out for 2026. Health will be a major factor in where Jones goes, how much he's given, and what kind of a role he'll be handed.