The Browns are just two weeks away from the start of training camp, which will kick off with their visit to The Greenbrier. To prepare for training camp, we're putting together a preview of each position on the roster. Let's take a look at the defensive line as the next part of the series.
The Defensive Line:
Defensive ends
Myles Garrett
Sam Kamara
Isaiah McGuire
Ogbo Okoronkwo
Za'Darius Smith
Isaiah Thomas
Alex Wright
Defensive tackles
Jowon Briggs
Mike Hall Jr.
Shelby Harris
Maurice Hurst II
Siaki Ika
Quinton Jefferson
Dalvin Tomlinson
Chris Williams
What we know: The league's top defense ran it back with their defensive line during free agency, re-signing Harris, Hurst and Smith to contracts. Alongside Garrett and Okoronkwo, they kept their core unit together. The "engine" of the defense is fueled by veteran players who all helped the Browns defense excel in 2023. As a unit, they led the NFL in total defense – allowing just 270.2 yards per game – and passing defense – allowing 164.7 yards per game.
The Browns also added depth in signing Jefferson and brought in youth by drafting Hall and Briggs, who can learn from the veterans in the group.
The Browns are also entering the second year in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense. Not only does it bring a sense of familiarity for players as they understand the scheme, but it also allows the Browns to make tweaks and improvements to the scheme. Schwartz used the analogy of implementing "changeup pitches" after being a "fastball" team in the first year of the system. They have the solid base built for their attack front style of defense and can now adjust to improve in the second year of the system.
The biggest question: What will Hall's role look like among the defensive linemen? The second-round pick had a solid showing in rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp, showcasing his explosiveness, how he can rush the passer, his first step and physicality. However, with the number of veterans on the defensive line, finding space and playing time for him in the rotation will be an element to follow during training camp, preseason and into the regular season.
The X-Factor: Garrett. The accolades stacked up for Garrett throughout the year, topped off with winning Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career. He was also named to the A.P. All-Pro Team for the fifth time in his career, and third as a first-team honoree. Garrett led the Browns – and finished tied seventh in the NFL – with 14 sacks, which also tied for third-most by a Brown in a season. He also is the only NFL player to record at least 14 sacks in each of the past three seasons.
However, the goal doesn't end there for Garrett. His success in the pass rush and ability to pressure quarterbacks will play an integral in the overall success of the Browns' defense in 2024.
The league's top defense ran it back with their defensive line during free agency, re-signing Harris, Hurst and Smith to contracts. Alongside Garrett and Okoronkwo, they kept their core unit together. The "engine" of the defense is fueled by veteran players who all helped the Browns defense excel in 2023. As a unit, they led the NFL in total defense – allowing just 270.2 yards per game – and passing defense – allowing 164.7 yards per game.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-0.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts on October 22, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns won 39-38.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-0.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during OTA 6 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on September 18, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 22-26.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) before the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams on December 3, 2023 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 19-36.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns and Eagles tied 18-18.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.
Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during OTA 6 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91), Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on September 18, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 22-26.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns and Eagles tied 18-18.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during OTA 1 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 21, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) after a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) after a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) after a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
The biggest number: 29.1 percent. The Browns led the NFL in third down percentage at 29.1 percent, allowing just 67-of-230 third-down conversion attempts. They dominated in getting crucial stops on third down and forcing opponents to punt, giving the ball back to the Browns' offense. The Browns also only gave up 253 total first downs throughout the 2023 season, 45 less than the Jets who finished second in the NFL.
Says it all: "Coach Jacques (Cesaire) and Jordan Thomas do an outstanding job with that group. It's a deep group. Like you mentioned, it's a competitive group. I like how those guys practice, how they work. If your roster is built where you have strength like that at a position and it's competitive to make the football team, that's a good thing." – Head coach Kevin Stefanski on state of the defensive line
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster last year: 9
