Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Penei Sewell #58 and Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after their team's 44-22 victory against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns have one open spot remaining on the offensive line and a recent Pro Bowl left tackle just became available to potentially fill it.
The Detroit Lions honored a request from Taylor Decker earlier this week, granting him his release after 10 years and 140 starts with the team.
Decker hit the free agent market as potentially the best LT available alongside Rasheed Walker of the Green Bay Packers. Pro Football Focus ranked Decker the 41st-best tackle out of 89 players who saw enough snaps last season to qualify at the position. Decker was a Pro Bowler in 2024.
Walker is in his mid-20s and a longer-term solution, though has never played as well as Decker did at his peak. Given that, Decker profiles as a short-term bridge to a longer-term answer for Cleveland at left tackle, perhaps via the 2026 or 2027 draft.
Spotrac projects Decker’s market value at approximately $21 million annually over a new two-year contract.
Browns Predicted to Strongly Consider Offensive Tackle With No. 6 Pick in NFL Draft
Monroe Freeling of the Georgia Bulldogs is rising, and could land with the Cleveland Browns at No. 6.
GettyOffensive tackle Monroe Freeling of the Georgia Bulldogs could land with the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 overall in next month’s NFL draft.
Decker makes most sense for the Browns if they plan to tread a certain path in next month’s NFL draft, which would be to select the top wide receiver available at No. 6 overall, likely Carnell Tate of Ohio State.
The Browns also own picks Nos. 24 and 39 and could look for a left tackle in either spot.
Decker doesn’t fit in with Cleveland if the team intends to select an offensive tackle at No. 6, which ESPN’s Field Yates predicted in his most recent mock draft following Day 1 of free agency.
A busy week for the Browns has been led by three major offensive line additions: right tackle Tytus Howard (via trade), guard Zion Johnson and center/guard Elgton Jenkins. All three players signed deals worth eight figures annually, but I think Cleveland will take this O-line investment one step further.
[Monroe] Freeling has been a favorite of mine throughout the pre-draft process and has as much upside as any offensive tackle in this class. He could develop into Cleveland’s starting left tackle, as his ability to mirror rushers with his lateral agility and length at 6-foot-7 (34¾-inch arms) stand out. The ideal situation for Freeling would be spending time as a sixth offensive lineman right out of the gate, but most teams picking this high can’t offer that.
Browns Also Have Strong Need at Wide Receiver Position
Carnell Tate
GettyOhio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
If the Browns go with Freeling, or some other offensive lineman at No. 6 overall, then the team will surely miss out on Tate.
In that scenario, Cleveland will either have to look to a wideout later in the draft or find one in free agency or via a trade.
AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles is a potential trade candidate. Cleveland has also expressed interest in Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars, though his availability via trade remains unclear.