Coming out of last season there were some serious questions that needed to be asked about the defensive line of Cleveland Browns. Impressive performances from some members of their line were able to boost the overall performance of the unit. Others, interior players specifically, were rather forgettable as Cleveland’s defensive tackle play was some of the worst in all of football. To be blunt, changes needed to be made if this unit to improve.
The team made some decisions to alter the group through multiple means, but where do things stand now?
Cleveland came into the offseason with needing to add to a group featuring Myles Garrett in addition to Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, and Sheldon Day. The Browns moved on from Malik Jackson, Malik McDowell, Takk McKinley, and Porter Gustin after the season. Jadeveon Clowney did his usual wait and see for a long-term contract in free agency that never comes routine and was no guarantee to return. Cleveland had their work head of them with this roster shuffling that took place.
In need to replace McKinley, Cleveland sent Mack Wilson to New England in exchange for Chase Winovich. Winovich sliding into the role that McKinley played last season is the obvious play here as they lack anyone with that type of skillset on the roster.
The Browns took a one-year flier contract on Taven Bryan. Bryan never exceed 50% of snaps during his four years in Jacksonville. As a buy-low option for their defensive line it is hard to complain about.
Clowney eventually decided on a team and returned to the Cleveland Browns. It was bounce back year for Clowney posting numbers that he has not seen in years. Concerns about repeatability and health more than likely hindered his actual free agent market despite claims he turned down more money to return to Cleveland.
The draft saw Cleveland select Perrion Winfrey, Alex Wright, and Isaiah Thomas. This gives the Browns several young cost controlled options to insert into the rotation. While they could be productive players, it is more than likely going to take time before their true impact is felt.
What’s next?
The Browns managed to make some moves which should put them in a better position now than what could have been imagined when the offseason began. That being said this team still lacks consistent interior pressure. It is rather unlikely that the current group is able to produce the type of pressure necessary in order to be effective. Even though the current regime has seemingly avoided addressing the defensive tackle position with any sort of urgency, there is still a player available who could bolster their defensive tackle play while at the same time creating chaos up front with another agent of chaos (Clowney).
Ndamukong Suh.
Suh is far from the player he was in Detroit at this point in his career, but he can still make a difference in moderation. Snap counts have dropped over his last four seasons, but has still managed to be impactful in his mid-30’s. In Cleveland Suh would not even have to play the 63% of snaps to make plays when on a line with Garrett and Clowney. Moving Clowney inside to join forces and create a giant cluster of chaos in the middle of an offensive line would make things easier for Garrett, Winovich, or any player on the edge to make a play.
What it all comes down to is interior pressure and the Browns lack it. Defensive tackle play is hardly sexy while pass rushers get all the glory and understandably so. Even still, the ability to mess things up from the middle of an offensive set is something that never goes out of style. Improving this area would take the Browns from average to good and maybe even great. It does not have to be with Suh, but rolling with their current group is not an advisable course of action.