Cornelius Lucas III Bio
Cornelius Lucas III (born July 18, 1991) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 148 kilograms, he has carved out a long career as a reliable swing tackle and spot starter across multiple franchises.
Lucas played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats before signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Over more than a decade in the league, he has also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Washington Commanders, building a reputation for dependable depth along the offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Cornelius Lucas III was born on July 18, 1991, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up in New Orleans, he attended Edna Karr High School, a program known for producing college-level football talent. His size and athleticism drew attention from college recruiters during his prep years.
Lucas went on to play college football at Kansas State University, where he lined up at left tackle for the Wildcats. His development in a Big 12 program helped him transition from a promising local prospect into a professional-ready offensive lineman by the time he finished his college career.
Path to the NFL
After his time at Kansas State, Lucas declared for the NFL and went undrafted in the 2014 process. Despite the lack of a draft selection, his frame and experience at left tackle were enough to earn him an opportunity. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2014, beginning what would become a long professional journey.
Lucas earned recognition during his college career, including First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2012 and Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2013. Those accolades reflected his steady growth at Kansas State and helped validate his professional upside even without a draft pedigree.
Cornelius Lucas III Career
Early Career with the Detroit Lions (2014–2016)
Lucas joined the Detroit Lions in May 2014 and spent three seasons developing into a dependable reserve offensive tackle. Over that stretch, he appeared in 35 games and made six starts, gaining valuable experience while learning the pace and demands of professional football.
As an exclusive-rights free agent, Lucas was tendered by the Lions on March 9, 2017, signaling that the organization still valued his role on the offensive line. However, he was waived on September 3, 2017, opening the next chapter of his career.
Los Angeles Rams (2017–2018)
Lucas was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on September 12, 2017, joining a roster that needed depth at the tackle position. He made his only start of the 2017 season in the Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, lining up at right tackle.
The following offseason, Lucas re-signed with the Rams on April 16, 2018, looking to secure a longer-term role. He was ultimately released on August 31, 2018, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.
New Orleans Saints (2018)
On December 20, 2018, Lucas was signed by the New Orleans Saints, briefly returning to the city where he grew up. He was released two days later, re-signed on December 27, and then released again four days after that, making his Saints tenure a short late-season stop.
Chicago Bears (2019)
Lucas signed a reserve/future contract with the Chicago Bears on January 23, 2019, earning a chance to compete for a roster spot. In Week 3 of the 2019 season, he stepped in at right tackle in place of an ailing Bobby Massie and helped the Bears to a 31–15 victory. He also saw action on tackle-eligible plays as an extra blocker during the year.
Washington Football Team / Commanders (2020–2024)
Lucas signed with the Washington Football Team on March 27, 2020, beginning the longest and most stable stretch of his career. He started at left tackle in place of an injured Geron Christian during the Week 7 win against the Dallas Cowboys, then started the next two games before exiting the Week 10 game against the Lions with an injury. After missing two games, he returned in Week 13 and started at left tackle for the remainder of the season.
On December 15, 2021, Lucas was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, missing the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles before being placed back on the active roster on December 22. He re-signed with the team on a two-year contract on March 24, 2022, and was placed on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp before being activated on August 15. In Week 5 of the 2022 season, Lucas was named the starting right tackle in place of Sam Cosmi, who was recovering from thumb surgery, and he continued to start even after Cosmi returned three weeks later. On March 19, 2024, Lucas re-signed with the Commanders to a one-year, $4 million contract, completing a five-year run with the organization.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Lucas signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move gave the Browns an experienced swing tackle with starting experience on both sides of the offensive line.
At 6 feet 8 inches, Lucas brings rare size to the Cleveland offensive line room and the kind of veteran reliability that teams covet for the long NFL season. His arrival adds experienced depth behind the starting tackles and provides a steady presence for a young offensive line group.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lucas’s most memorable early moment came with the Bears in 2019, when his first start of the season coincided with a comfortable 31–15 win. His longest sustained stretch of starting work came during the 2020 season in Washington, where he started at left tackle from Week 13 onward and remained a fixture at the position.
Cornelius Lucas III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Cornelius Lucas III’s immediate family and upbringing outside of football remains limited. He is a New Orleans native who attended Edna Karr High School before moving on to Kansas State.
Personal Life
Verified details about Lucas’s spouse, children, or residence are not available in the supported sources.
2025 Season Performance
Cornelius Lucas III enters the 2025 season as a member of the Cleveland Browns after signing a two-year, $10 million contract in March 2025. The deal reflects his value as an experienced backup who can step into a starting role when needed.
With the Browns, Lucas is expected to serve as a swing tackle and provide depth on both sides of the offensive line. His experience starting in multiple systems in Detroit, Chicago, and Washington gives him versatility that the Cleveland coaching staff can lean on throughout a long season.
As the 2025 campaign unfolds, Lucas will look to continue his role as a steady veteran presence while contributing wherever the Browns need him most. His size, durability, and familiarity with starting-caliber play make him a quiet but important piece of Cleveland’s offensive line plans.