The Cleveland Browns are urged to take a gamble on a star, injury-prone offensive guard in an intriguing move to bolster their offensive line.
Cleveland is expected to overhaul its offensive line as all five starters are pending free agents. The Browns already traded for Tytus Howard to address the tackle position; the team still needs guard help.
Wyatt Teller already announced his departure from the team, so Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic expects the team to pursue Alijah Vera-Tucker.
“He missed all of 2025 with a torn triceps suffered last August, marking the third time Vera-Tucker has suffered a season-ending injury,” Jackson wrote. “But he’s just 26 and was one of the NFL’s best-graded guards by PFF in 2024. So maybe Cleveland will be looking to take a gamble at an injury discount on a high-ceiling player.
Vera-Tucker is coming off his rookie contract and will be one of the top guards available. However, his injury history is a major concern, as he’s had three season-ending injuries in just five years in the NFL.
But when Vera-Tucker is healthy, he’s one of the best guards in the NFL. So, he’d be a major upgrade at guard for the Browns if they can sign him, despite his injury history.
Vera-Tucker was selected 14th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Vera-Tucker Has Dealt With Injuries
Before the 2025 season, Vera-Tucker tore his triceps, which ended his season.
Vera-Tucker has dealt with plenty of injuries, as in 2022, he suffered a season-ending triceps injury. It was to the opposite arm of the triceps injury he suffered this past season.
Meanwhile, he missed 12 games in 2023 because of a torn Achilles.
Vera-Tucker was named a captain for the first time in his career. So his injury news before the season was a huge blow to the Jets.
“It’s something that you just hate to see,” said wide receiver Garrett Wilson, a fellow captain. “I had some great convos with him just leading up to the season, and knowing that he’s not going to be out there with us this season just breaks my heart because he’s someone that goes about everything the right way. … It definitely hurts. It definitely doesn’t make our team better, losing a guy like that.”
Given his injury history, what kind of contract Vera-Tucker will land is uncertain. But when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best guards in the NFL.
Browns Plan to Overhaul O-Line
Cleveland’s offensive line had struggles last season, and the team plans to overhaul the unit.
With all five starters as free agents, general manager Andrew Berry said the team will look at what the Chicago Bears did to overhaul their O-Line.
“I actually think what Chicago, what (GM) Ryan Poles did last year is a really nice model,” Berry said at the NFL Draft Combine “If you think about it, they did a combination of internal development, veteran additions and draft.
“You had Darnell Wright, who he really came into his own at right tackle this past year. They traded for (guard) Joe Thuney. They traded for (guard) Jonah Jackson, they signed (center Drew) Dalman in free agency. And they drafted (tackle) Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. So it’s a nice mixture of youth and experience and we would look to take a similar approach if the player markets line up for us.”
The Browns made their first move by acquiring Tytus Howard, but the team will make more.
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