The free agent defensive end is coming off an 8.5 sack season and should warrant some attention from Cleveland.
Even though the Cleveland Browns have signed Takk McKinley and Malik Jackson, they still need more help. An intriguing option on the free agent market is defensive end Kerry Hyder. Hyder had 8.5 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers last season and would be a great addition for the Browns defense.
Kerry Hyder played a career-high 70% of defensive snaps last season for San Francisco. Hyder’s previous high in snaps was 64% in 2016 for the Detroit Lions, a season which saw the defensive end register 8 sacks. In between there was a missed season due to injury in 2017 and two seasons with decreased production combined with fewer snaps played. Hyder only register two total sacks in 2018 and 2019 before a revival in San Francisco last season.
If Cleveland was to add Kerry Hyder to their defensive line it would help solidify that unit. Outside of Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson there is a lot left to be desired. Andrew Billings did not play last season and Porter Gustin seems to be a fine rotational player. Even with the additions of McKinley and Jackson this unit still needs help. Having a combo of Hyder and McKinley opposite of Garrett would provide an intriguing pass rushing option, especially if McKinley is not able to recapture his form from earlier in his career. The Browns could even get weird and have all three of Garrett, McKinley, and Hyder on the field at the same to try and create a mismatch.
Even though Mary Kay Cabot stated that she believes the Browns hope McKinley can start, they should not stop at improving that position. There are two position groups on defense that a team can never have enough of, defensive back and pass rusher. Cleveland needs more of both.
