June is approaching, and that means mandatory minicamp for the Cleveland Browns. It’ll be the first time we see the veterans and rookies together, with a complete look at the team. 

Cleveland has several position battles to play out through OTAs and training camp, none of them being more important than the quarterback position. Much of the attention will be on whether the Browns have Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterbacks. There’s another battle worth watching up front as well, and the odd man out could end up traded. 

Browns could trade a former Ohio State Buckeye before the season as an odd man out 

Cleveland revamped its offensive line this offseason and there are still questions about what the starting five will look like. Elgton Jenkins was signed as a veteran option who can play guard or center. His best spot is at guard, but the Browns may have to play him at center. Rookie fifth-round pick Parker Brailsford and fourth-year C Luke Wypler are the others competing for the job. 

The ideal scenario for the Browns is Brailsford being capable of stepping into a starting role. We’ve seen Wypler in limited starting action, but he’s already a free agent after the 2026 season. If Brailsford and Wypler are close in level of play, it makes sense to go with the player in the first year of his rookie deal. 

Jason La Canfora of Ravens SI raised an interesting point that Baltimore should look to trade for Wypler. I happen to think it’s a move that could be on the table. Typically, you don’t want to trade within the AFC North. However, Wypler isn’t the kind of needle mover you worry about if he’s traded to a divisional opponent. 

Wypler was a two-year starter at Ohio State before being a late-round draft pick by the Browns in 2023. Wypler is limited by his size and it’s the main reason he fell in the draft. When you add in the injury issues Wypler has had in the pros, it’s hard to see him getting a second contract in Cleveland. Baltimore has a need for a starting-level center and Wypler could fill the role if he isn’t named the guy in Cleveland. 

Much of this falls on whether or not Brailsford can be up front for the Browns right away. The other option is Jenkins at center with Teven Jenkins filling in at right guard, then Brailsford being the backup center. Such a scenario would allow the Browns to move off of Wypler as well. 

Cleveland wouldn’t get much for Wypler, it would be a late Day 3 pick. But it’s better than letting a player walk for nothing in free agency, even if you aren’t going to bring him back. It’s an option that should be on the table for the Browns if the opportunity arises.