Line coach on Conklin: ‘Couldn’t get a more perfect tackle’

Free-agent signee seen as ideal fit for blocking scheme on right side.

Jack Conklin liked the idea of continuing to play in an outside zone blocking scheme, and the Browns viewed him as the ideal right tackle for the system they’ll run under coach Kevin Stefanski.

Call it a match made in freeagency heaven.

The Browns hope the partnership will be worthy of the label because they signed Conklin to a three-year, $42 million contract in March.

The eighth overall draft pick in 2016, Conklin spent the past four seasons with the Tennessee

Titans. ProFootballFocus.com gave him the third-best grade in the NFL the past two seasons for wide zone run blocking.

“I really like Jack,” new Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan said Thursday during a Zoom video conference. “I watched him coming out of Michigan State. I thought he was outstanding there, and what he has done at Tennessee, early in his career, I know he had some misfortune with injury, but last year, he really came on. He had a really good year.

“You talk about a system fit — you couldn’t get a more perfect tackle in free agency than Jack. He fits the mode for the wide zone game and his pass protection sets, how he short sets and he jumps at the line of scrimmage, which is a tough skill to acquire. Then, of course, in third down and later downs, you can watch him set vertically, and you can see his variance of sets.

“He has the toolbox and he has the skill set to do quite well. What I really like about Jack is he’s a player that’s really thirsty for new techniques and new ways of doing things. He’s wide open from that aspect. I’m really looking for