The Commanders made a play to add a more accomplished left tackle today, bringing in Laremy Tunsil via trade. One of their 2024 options at the position will now relocate.
Cornelius Lucas is heading to Cleveland, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reporting the 11-year veteran will join the Browns on a two-year deal. Lucas’ latest contract can be worth up to $10MM.
This will end a five-year Lucas stay in Washington. The Commanders used Lucas as a spot starter for much of that stay, but he ended up with 38 starts for the team. Going into his age-34 season, Lucas is preparing for a 12th NFL campaign. He is now set to play for a sixth franchise, having made pre-Washington stops with the Lions, Rams, Saints and Bears.
Lucas played 318 snaps at left tackle and 139 snaps at right tackle for the Commanders last season, helping a team that was breaking in third-round rookie Brandon Coleman. While Coleman manned Jayden Daniels‘ blindside post in the playoffs, Lucas started seven games last season. For his career, Lucas — a former UDFA — has 54.
The Browns have Jedrick Wills out of contract, after two injury-plagued seasons, and lost James Hudson to the Giants today. The team still rosters Jack Conklin, who is injury-prone himself and going into an age-31 season. While Joel Bitonio‘s return ensures interior-line continuity, the Browns still have some work to do at tackle. Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 overall tackle last season, Lucas could give the Browns a starter or swing option next season.
I’m sure the #28 ranked tackle will make an effective turnstile versus T.J. Watt when he faces his former teammate, new Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett. Now we just need them to downgrade at running back, it’s a shame they lost out on Elijah Mitchell & Clyde Edwards-Helaire. What if they lose Nick Chubb to Cincinnati & trade with the Raiders for Zamir White? They could even give up too much for him to make it sting even more!
TJ Watt has frequently no showed against the Browns recently and got manhandled by Dawand Jones.
Imagine what happens when TJ goes up against a guy who actually graded well
Honestly, I hope they turn it around someday, they’re just such an easy target since the DeShaun Watson fiasco. Bringing in Kenny Pickett just lowers my faith even more. I know he’s a former first round pick, but so is Zach Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, Josh Rosen. I think it would’ve made more sense to at least attempt to trade with the Patriots for Joe Milton III. Maybe they did & got shot down.