With 2025 NFL free agency approaching, it appears unlikely that Jedrick Wills will return to the Cleveland Browns.
The former first-round pick out of Alabama never quite lived up to expectations, struggling to solidify himself as a reliable left tackle.
While Cleveland’s dire financial situation plays a role in his likely departure—given their need to clear cap space before making any major signings—Wills’ performance has also been a factor.
He struggled to protect the blindside for multiple quarterbacks and was ultimately benched in November in favor of 2023 fourth-round pick Dawand Jones.
However, Sam Monson of Check the Mic believes Wills shouldn’t be written off just yet. He sees potential for Wills as a reclamation project, particularly if he transitions to the right side of the offensive line.
“What about a reclamation project at right tackle? Usually, guys come out in the NFL Draft, and they are left or right tackles, and a lot of the times, the NFL is immediately moving them to the other side because this is where the space is, this is where you’re gonna play, and rarely do you see guys who move later in their careers and generally I think it’s a good idea,” Monson noted.
“But Jedrick Wills was a college right tackle who was immediately moved to left tackle by the Browns and has been pretty bad for the majority of his career, to the point where they are moving on from him. He’s gotten worse throughout his career and has yet to play a single snap at right tackle. I don’t know if that’s the reason, I don’t know if that will fix him, but if I’m an NFL team with a right tackle problem, I’d be interested in finding out if Jedrick Wills, who is only like 26, and let’s find out if he plays better at right tackle than left tackle.”
Steve Palazzolo, co-host of Check the Mic alongside Sam Monson, also weighed in on the discussion. He pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ success with Mekhi Becton as a reclamation project, highlighting how a position change played a key role in his resurgence.
By shifting Becton to a more suitable role, the Eagles helped him find immediate success—something Palazzolo believes could work for Jedrick Wills as well.
“I thought that was the way you were going to go. By the way, in that very same draft class, Mekhi Becton was drafted at 11,” Palazzolo said. “He was just signed by the Eagles for pennies on the dollar at right guard, and that paid dividends for them. They basically stole a starter who was good for their Super Bowl run. I kind of like that.”
Could Jedrick Wills find success by joining a team with a strong offensive line and transitioning into a top-tier right tackle? Or perhaps, like Mekhi Becton, could he even make a surprise move to right guard for the Eagles? While that scenario seems unlikely, anything is possible. With his NFL future uncertain, Wills might just be willing to explore new opportunities.
