Dawgs By Nature
The Browns defense is poised to recapture that #1 spot this year
The Cleveland Browns defense was ranked #1 in the league just one season ago, following the 2023 season. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for his efforts.
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That season, the Browns’ defensive backfield was ranked near the top of most categories. #2 in total passing yards (3,149), #1 in fewest completions (307), tied for #1 in fewest plays of 20+ yards (39), #5 in interceptions (18), and #1 in fewest receptions for first down conversions.
Despite being ranked as the league’s best defense, the run-stopping game had its ups and downs. The only categories that were near the top were: #1 ranking for fewest rushes for first down conversions (87), #1 ranking of fewest third down attempts made (67), #2 in fewest fourth down attempts made, and #1 in total tackles (924).
For 2024, almost all of these numbers flipped. Especially against the run.
Part of the reason was due to attrition. DTs Mo Hurst and Shelby Harris were hurt for several games each and spent time on IR. Rookie DT Mike Hall spent the first part of the season on the commissioner’s exempt list due to an August 2024 arrest on domestic violence charges. DE Alex Wright also spent time on IR with a torn triceps and missed 13 games.
Going into this offseason, the focus has been to find guys who are run-stoppers as their greatest skill set.
Browns GM Andrew Berry signed DT Ralph Holley from Grey Cup champions Toronto Argonauts in January and then re-signed LB Devin Bush, who had 76 total tackles for Cleveland last year and was successful against the run. Berry then released DT Dalvin Tomlinson and his expensive contract, and in a corresponding move, inked DT Maliek Collins from the San Francisco 49ers, who had 33 tackles and five sacks.
LB Jerome Baker was signed as a free agent, then Berry drafted DT Mason Graham of Michigan and LB Carson Schwesinger from UCLA with the Browns’ first two picks in the NFL draft. Both drafted players are known for being run stuffers and good tacklers.
All of this activity should solve the problem of being able to stop the run. But what about the pass rush?
That question should have an emphasis on a Cleveland defender coming off the edge.
One thing for certain: the left defensive end is certainly unscrambled. All-World EDGE rusher Myles Garrett has this pretty well solved.
His backup listed on the depth chart is Wright, ready to come in and give Garrett a breather. Wright (6’-5”, 267 pounds) was taken in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL draft and was thought of as a future starting defensive end. That just hasn’t happened. So, for now, he languishes between Garrett and gets reps whenever he can. In three seasons, he has just six starts, 61 total tackles,...
