Browns should add former divisional rival to growing position of need

The Browns' (8-5) Super Bowl aspirations seem to be returning with a rejuvenated Joe Flacco leading the way. However, they should consider adding a former AFC North rival to assure Flacco isn't lost for the season.

Cleveland announced on Tuesday that offensive tackles Jedrick Wills, the team's 2021 first-round pick, and Dawand Jones, its 2023 fourth-round pick, are out for the season with knee injuries.

That means the next men up are Geron Christian, a third-round pick by Washington in 2018, and James Hudson III, the Browns' fourth-round pick in 2021. The two players have a combined 23 starts under their belts, which should certainly leave fans concerned for Flacco's health.

The team already watched QB Deshaun Watson's season come to an end. Seeing a similar scenario happen to Flacco would be devastating, especially after proving they can win now with him.

That's why adding free-agent offensive tackle La'el Collins, who played for the Bengals from 2022-23, would be a great move. The 30-year-old torn his ACL and MCL at the end of last season and was released by Cincinnati in September.

If Collins is healthy, which no reports have said otherwise, it could be the perfect pairing. The veteran would get another shot to contend for a Super Bowl and have the opportunity to play his former team in Week 18, which could decide who makes the postseason.

Adding Collins wouldn't necessarily mean Cleveland would need to start him either. But with the latest injuries to the offensive line, it is certainly growing thinner. One more injury could create a nightmare scenario very quickly.

The Browns have plenty of cap space with $32.75 million in available funds, according to OverTheCap, so money is not an issue. 

Bringing in Collins for a workout to determine if he's healthy could be the only thing standing in between Cleveland and a run to the Super Bowl.