The good news is that Jones has now recovered where he is cleared to practice. The bad news is that Jones has had three surgeries on one leg in two seasons, especially for someone the size of Jones. Being lighter will put less stress on his knees. It may also allow him to be slightly more mobile.
In addition to regaining the form he has shown in pass protection, downright dominant at times, this gives him the time to put in to improving as a run blocker. Time he didn't have last year. There's also competition that wasn't there last year.
Theoretically, Jedrick Wills was supposed to provide that last year, but he was recovering from his own knee injury at the time. It didn't help that Wills seemingly attacked his rehab with the same enthusiasm most people have visiting the dentist.
Cornelius Lucas, who was signed in free agency, is healthy, motivated and professional. He's going to push Jones.
The Browns also have what they believe is an upgrade at offensive line coach with Mike Bloomgren. His background includes some of the best years Stanford ever had, built on dominating the line of scrimmage and running the football. Bloomgren has no ties to anyone on the Browns' roster or reason to play favorites, so he's got every incentive to push Jones and make him earn the starting job.
For now, the Cleveland Browns need Dawand Jones to be a starting caliber tackle this year, given the potential fluidity on the roster, for the future as well. If Jones can become a full service tackle, he not only puts himself in a position to get a lucrative contract extension, but he can play on whatever side he wants.