CLE Dawand Jones
NFL player. Position: LT. Team: CLE.
Quick Facts
- Position: Left Tackle (LT)
- Team: CLE (Cleveland Browns)
- Bye week (2026): 11
- Career starts: 20
2026 Outlook
Third-year tackle on the hot seat after three seasons marked by injury. Started well on left side after Jed Wills departure, but injuries have derailed his development: out on IR each of his first two years, then injured Week 3 of 2025 (LCL tear and hamstring avulsion). Early in-season timing gave him more recovery time. Competed at minicamp, but now faces Spencer Fano (first-round pick) challenging for the left tackle job. Jones restructured his rookie deal (cut guaranteed money from $3.6M to $1.5M), creating a financial incentive to bench him. The question: will coaches give Fano time to develop or let Jones' experience carry the day? (per 2026 Browns offseason: Veterans on the hot seat after the NFL draft)
As of June minicamp, Jones' roster spot is uncertain. He has the size (6'8", 374 lbs) and rookie-year flash (PFWA All-Rookie after 9 starts) that keeps coaches interested, but his injury cloud—knee issues, ankle injuries putting him on IR mid-season—raises questions about durability over the long term. With Fano, Howard, and Barber competing for tackle spots, Jones is "fighting for the right to keep being in the fight." (per Cleveland Browns News and Rumors June 21, 2026: Fighting for Football Lives)
Jones moved aggressively to improve his roster security by renegotiating his performance-escalator deal post-draft. He converted his non-guaranteed $3.674M salary into $1.5M with $1.245M guaranteed, reducing his cap hit and creating more flexibility for the Browns while securing guaranteed money for himself. This contract restructuring reflects his efforts to stay competitive with incoming tackle prospects. (per Cleveland Browns 2026 Salary Cap - Post Rookies Signing & Garrett Trade Update)
Role / Depth Chart
Left tackle competing with first-round pick Spencer Fano. High risk of losing the starting job due to draft capital and coaching preference for development.
Injury Status
Recovered from 2025 Week 3 knee surgery (LCL tear and hamstring avulsion). History of recurring injuries a major concern for durability.
Recent News
- 2026-06-19 — Cleveland Browns Extend Quarterback Competition Into Training Camp (Cleveland Browns Extend Quarterback Competition Into Training Camp)
- 2026-03-25 — Analyzing Browns’ offensive depth chart: How will the receiver room be filled out? -... (Analyzing Browns’ offensive depth chart: How will the receiver room be filled out? -...)
- 2026-05-31 — 2026 Browns offseason: Veterans on the hot seat after the NFL draft (2026 Browns offseason: Veterans on the hot seat after the NFL draft)
- 2026-06-21 — Cleveland Browns News and Rumors June 21, 2026: Fighting for Football Lives (Cleveland Browns News and Rumors June 21, 2026: Fighting for Football Lives)
- 2026-04-25 — Cleveland Browns' 2026 NFL draft picks: Full list, analysis (Cleveland Browns' 2026 NFL draft picks: Full list, analysis)
- 2026-03-23 — Every NFL franchise's biggest position to improve, plus free agency and draft solutions (Every NFL franchise's biggest position to improve, plus free agency and draft solutions)
- 2026-04-18 — 2026 NFL mock draft 8.3: What do Giants do at No. 5 and 10 after trading Dexter... (2026 NFL mock draft 8.3: What do Giants do at No. 5 and 10 after trading Dexter...)
- 2026-03-30 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7 (2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7)
- 2026-04-27 — Browns' offense by position after 2026 NFL draft: QB, WR, OL (Browns' offense by position after 2026 NFL draft: QB, WR, OL)
- 2026-02-24 — Andrew Berry talks draft outlook, free agency and more at the NFL Combine (Andrew Berry talks draft outlook, free agency and more at the NFL Combine)
Open Questions
- Can Dawand Jones stay healthy in 2026, or will injury issues continue to plague his career?