Could UDFA Desmond Harrison be the answer for the Browns at LT in the post-Joe Thomas era?

The Cleveland Browns have been in search of a franchise quarterback since 1999, that’s been obvious. In fact, they’ve been in search of plenty of star players that could help turn the franchise around and help them become a legitimate threat not only in the AFC North but in the entire NFL. While they’ve continued to work tirelessly in order to try and select the top talent in the NFL Draft, there is one position that hasn’t needed to be improved since the start of the 2007 season. When the Browns selected Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas with the third-overall pick in 2007, no one could have imagined that he would play 1,063 consecutive snaps from the time he made his debut until he tore his triceps in Week 7 of the 2017-18 season. A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, the left tackle decided to retire following that season, the first season in which he was not on the field for every single snap.

With his retirement, it has left the Dawg Pound wondering what life will be like in the post-Joe Thomas era. Could Shon Coleman successfully move from right tackle to left tackle in his third season in the NFL? Should Joel Bitonio make the move outside from left guard to left tackle? Can second round pick Austin Corbett be Thomas’ successor? These are the types of questions that the Browns were dreading, and ones they didn’t have to worry about during Thomas’ 11-year career.

While no one knows who will be the left tackle come Week 1 this fall, another name seems to have caught the eyes of a number of reporters who were at rookie minicamp last week. Although he wasn’t selected in the draft, undrafted free agent Desmond Harrison seems to be a guy that some think can potentially be Thomas’ replacement at left tackle.

Who is this guy and how did he go undrafted if some think that he could possibly replace one of the best left tackles in NFL history, you ask? Harrison began his college career at Contra Community College in California before transferring to the University of Texas as the No. 5-ranked JUCO player in 2013. During his second season in Austin, he was suspended twice, forcing him to leave the program in January 2015 after missing all of the 2014 season. He then decided to transfer to Division II West Georgia in December 2016, meaning that he basically sat out three seasons.

Although he missed so much time, Harrison did well in his final year of eligibility at West Georgia. At 6-foot-6, 292 pounds, he jumps out on tape just due to his size. His dominance over the opposition made him stick out even more. Even at rookie minicamp in Berea this past weekend, people took notice of his size as well.

I've been doing this a long time and rarely have I encountered a human the size of Browns UDFA LT Desmond Harrison.

— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) May 5, 2018

The problem is that he dominated lesser Division II talent. At West Georgia, he was able to just use his size, strength, and speed over every opposing defensive lineman. The NFL will be a much bigger animal for him, which means that there are plenty of unanswered questions about what he can do in the league.

Harrison is quick on his feet and showed plenty of good traits at times, but will need plenty of practice and mentorship at the NFL level not only to learn how to block the best pass rushers but to go against guys who are as big (or close to) on a daily basis. He will not only have to improve his skills, but the offensive lineman will also have to put on some weight as well. At 292 pounds, he can’t just be bigger than his opposition like he was at West Georgia. For what it’s worth, he weighed 279 pounds at the Senior Bowl. He then came in at 292 pounds at the Combine. The average NFL left tackle weighs about 305 pounds, so Harrison is going in the right direction.

Due to his long college career where he spent time at three different schools, Harrison may be a rookie, but he will be 25 in October, by far the oldest rookie this year. With that, he has less time to develop than other, younger rookies. But if he can get his mind right, take advantage of going against guys such as Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, and learn from his teammates, Harrison has the size and ability to be a legitimate left tackle in the NFL.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said about Harrison prior to the draft, including that he projected the left tackle to be a Round 5 or 6 selection.

Boom-or-bust prospect who has elite length and athletic ability but is missing the consistency and resume of future NFL starter. Harrison’s West Georgia tape is filled with jaw-dropping plays but he was overwhelming inferior competition and doing it without much technique. Harrison looked light on tape and his Senior Bowl weigh-in at 279 is sure to scare teams about his ability to carry enough mass on his frame. He has alluring athletic traits but his off-the-field concerns could tank his draft stock.

There are a few reasons why he went undrafted, leading to the Browns picking him up in free agency, something that some believe is a very good, low risk signing for Cleveland. The first is due to the time he was suspended (and forced to leave) Texas. Although he dominated at West Georgia a few years later, the left tackle failed the pre-NFL Draft drug test, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller. That combination forced many teams to take them off their board altogether.

With that said, Browns general manager John Dorsey isn’t afraid to take a chance on guys. If his time with the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t proof of that, the Browns selecting former Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway in the fourth round a couple weeks ago reassured it. Dorsey loves drafting and signing some players who are talented but have a troubled past, hoping that he can use his system to get the player(s) on the right path.

He’s a low-risk signee for the Browns. If he adds some weight and can develop, some experts believe he could pay huge dividends and turn into a legitimate left tackle in the NFL. Worst case scenario, the Browns release him. Best case, he’s the starting left tackle when the 2018 season kicks off.