Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns’ defense as a whole has performed well this season, even though there have still been many ups and downs. It is easy to highlight players like Myles Garrett for what they bring to the table, especially coming off his five-sack game against the New England Patriots. Looking at the rest of this unit, are there any other players who stand out as having an underrated great season?
Alex Wright
Alex Wright has continued to grow this season after missing the majority of the 2024 season due to injury. He has been particularly dominant when it comes to run defense, but has also been a talented pass rusher for this group. He has become a crucial member of the rotation on defense and may have played himself into a potential extension. Wright is a great example of the Browns taking a third-round talent from a few years ago and developing him into a starter for this team over time.
Maliek Collins
Also on the defensive line, Maliek Collins is quietly having a Pro Bowl-level season. He has been a dominant presence, and his 3.5 sacks this year are the second most on the team, only behind Garrett. He has done an excellent job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks and has received high grades from Pro Football Focus when compared to other interior defensive linemen this season. The Browns have him under contract for the 2026 season.
Let me know what you think in the comments – Who’s been the most underrated player on the roster this season?
