NFL Free Agency: Browns have few options after Luke Wypler’s injury

As training camp approached, a quick look at the Cleveland Browns roster showed that there weren’t many holes. And some of the holes were at backup positions.

As with any season, there is attrition on the offensive line. Last year was a terrible year for injuries to that group, with three offensive tackles on the injured list, two guards injured for multiple games, and players being signed from other teams’ practice squads just to fill the starting lineup.

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Center seemed like a lucrative position. Starter Ethan Pocic had signed a three-year extension in the 2023 offseason and had a very good season last year. He has had his share of injuries, particularly in 2022 with a back injury and a knee sprain, and spent some time on the injured list.

The middle combination of LG Joel Bitonio, Pocic and right guard Wyatt Teller was indeed a pleasant sight.

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The Browns drafted Luke Wypler from Ohio State in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played a few guards in cleanup situations and the entire Cincinnati Bengals game in Week 17, in which Cleveland rested all of its starters. In total, he played just 57 offensive snaps. He was listed as the third center in this training camp.

Brian Allen was signed in the offseason as a veteran backup after Nick Harris signed with the Seattle Seahawks during free agency. In five seasons, Allen has made 32 NFL starts, but none in 2023, although he played in five games. The former Los Angeles Rams starter, signed in May, suffered a calf injury during training camp. The Browns eventually released him from injured reserve with a settlement on August 3.

And now against the Green Bay Packers in the Browns’ first preseason game, Wypler was carried off the field in the second quarter after backup QB Tyler Huntley was grabbed from behind and rolled onto Wypler’s right ankle as he fell while battling with his defender. Was it serious, or maybe just a sprained ankle or knee? On the replay, it looked serious.

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NBC Sports reports that Wypler broke his ankle and will need surgery, meaning his season is over before it even begins. He will most likely end up on the injured list after first being added to the initial 53-man roster.

Wypler was touted as the Browns’ next center once Pocic’s contract expires.

Suddenly, the entire center group is in shambles. GM Andrew Berry is already on the phone trying to negotiate a contract for one or two more players. But who? They need both a starting lineup-quality backup and a third player who has rarely played the position in this league and will play cheaply.

Who doesn’t have a contract yet and is ready to get on a plane tomorrow and get involved in this offensive?

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Dawson Deaton (1.85 m, 138 kg)

Age: 25

Once the Browns sign an established veteran like McGovern, they will need a third man. Deaton was drafted by Cleveland in Round 7 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been injured several times, which is not his fault. He knows Kevin Stefanski’s system, the playbook, the coaches know him, and he is not under contract yet.

In training camp his rookie season, he tore his ACL during a practice that ended his year before it began. Deaton spent the last two seasons on the injured list due to knee injuries and was released due to injury, but is now healthy again.

When he was drafted, everything said about Wypler and the future of the franchise’s center position revolved around Deaton as the Browns’ future center.

Cleveland had signed him and wanted to have him on their roster until medical reasons ruled him out.

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Tyler Larsen (1.93 m, 157 kg)

Age: 33

Larsen recently gained a lot of experience with the Washington Commanders. He has been in the NFL since 2014 and has played in 100 NFL games, 36 of which were starts.

Larsen is a guy who puts the community first, is an advocate for autism, and is a great communicator along the offensive line. He’s had three knee injuries in three seasons, so that’s not all. Big, experienced zone blocker with potential to be a serviceable starter. Generally holds down the fort.

He has short arms and sometimes has trouble holding blocks. Another disadvantage is that he is only averagely athletic. However, he can be used as a backup or starter when needed.

Photo by Scott Rovak/UFL/Getty Images

Mike Panasiuk (1.93 m, 134 kg)

Age: 27

Coming out of college as a defensive tackle and then transferring, he was the best center in the United Football League last spring and was named All-UFL as the starting center for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Last year he was named All-XFL after a good season.

Panasiuk was in training camp with the Carolina Panthers but was released on the last day. After his XFL stint, he went to training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was also a product of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Notes:

Let’s look at all the offensive line backups on the Browns roster to see if any of them have center experience.

• Michael Dunn Played right tackle, left tackle and right guard in college and is currently a backup guard. Same at Walt Whitman High School, so no center experience.
• Javion Cohen played left guard in Alabama and then in Miami, but not center.
• Zak Zinter was ranked as one of the area’s best right guards in high school and was named the third-best player in the state of Massachusetts, but there is no mention of him ever playing center. While at Michigan, he appeared in 45 games with 42 starts, all but one at right guard.
• Lorenzo Thompson played 37 consecutive games for Rhode Island as a left tackle and is currently fourth in the rankings at the same position.
• Hakeem Adeniji is a purely offensive tackle.
• James Hudson played defense in high school and was converted to offensive right tackle in his sophomore year at Michigan. No center experience.
• Zack Johnson also played defense in high school, then 30 games as right tackle, followed by 15 games as right guard. He played the same position in the UFL, but played center against the Packers on Saturday night after Wypler’s injury.
• Wyatt Davis graduated from high school as the best offensive guard in the country. He played right guard in the NFL, but never played center at any of the three levels.
• Germain Ifedi Was ranked 13th offensive guard prospect in his high school class. Played 35 games as a right tackle for Texas A&M, but none as a center.
• Roy Mbaeteka (6′-8″, 331 pounds) is a Nigerian international and did not play football in high school. He is currently ranked as the fourth right tackle and has no experience as a center.
• It is pointless to research whether David Jones played center in high school since he was born with a body length of almost one meter.
• Former Steelers center Michael is only 28 years old, but did a terrible job in pass defense last season and was much better in previous years. He started every game in 2022 and 2023 and is currently available.
• Or let’s see if we still JT Tretter’s Cell phone number. Can someone just stop by his house in Avon, Ohio and see if he’s still in shape?