ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is unveiling the results of his annual survey ranking the top 10 players at each position in the eyes of NFL personnel. After defensive end Myles Garrett was ranked as the top pass-rusher in the NFL earlier this week, another Cleveland Browns stalwart has drawn praise from participants.
While Browns guard Joel Bitonio didn’t quite make Fowler’s list of the top 10 interior offensive linemen in the NFL, he was one of five players to earn an honorable mention. 2025 marks the first time since Fowler began his survey in 2020 that Bitonio has not ranked within the top 10, but league personnel believe he is still playing at a high level.
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Here is what one AFC executive had to say about Bitonio:
“Definitely slight decline as he ages, but still a really good player who grades out well. Still a very consistent player compared to the rest of the field, which is something I really value at an error prevention position.”
Bitonio is coming off a 2024 season that saw him earn his seventh straight Pro Bowl selection, and is heading into his 12th season overall with the Browns. Last month, he opened up about why he decided to return for the 2025 season after seriously contemplating retirement this offseason.
While plenty of changes have come to Cleveland this offseason, Bitonio’s play is one thing the Browns can count on staying consistent.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns OG Joel Bitonio falls shy of ESPN’s top 10 interior linemen