The Browns bolstered their group of interior defensive linemen Wednesday with the addition of DT Taven Bryan.
Bryan, a 2018 first-round pick (29th overall) by the Jaguars, has agreed to terms with Cleveland. He totaled 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble in his first four years in the league and was previously a big piece of the Jaguars' interior D-line rotation. He's missed just two games in his career — both were in 2021, when he finished the season with 15 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for a loss.
"Taven Bryan is a young player with a lot of upside," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He is a big, physical player in the middle of the defense. He is going to fit in well with our group on the defensive line."
Bryan is from Casper, Wyoming, and was the top-ranked recruit in the state in 2014. He attended Florida and became one of the top defensive tackles of the 2018 class after his junior season when he compiled 40 tackles, six tackles for a loss and four sacks.
Bryan will join a defensive tackle room that had only two players — 2021 fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai and 2020 third-round pick Jordan Elliott — under contract for 2022.
Free Agency
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) reacts during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
North Texas offensive lineman Elex Woodworth (77) blocks Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan (93) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (93) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida's Taven Bryan poses with his Jacksonville Jaguars team jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Taven Bryan (93) walks along the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Taven Bryan (93) gets pressure on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (93), and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) sack Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars draftee defensive tackle Taven Bryan on air with SiriusXM Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Brandon Wade/AP Images for SiriusXM)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (93) celebrates a sack during the first half an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (93) reacts at the snap during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 37-19. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Florida's Taven Bryan poses on the red carpet before the first round of the 2018 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan walks on the field during a practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan poses with his jersey on stage after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive linemen Abry Jones, left, and Taven Bryan perform a drill during an NFL football workout, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - In this June 11, 2019, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan, left, rushes the offensive line during an NFL football practice, in Jacksonville, Fla. The defensive tackle and 2018 first-round draft pick is expected to be in the starting lineup again Thursday night, Aug. 29, 2019, when the Jaguars (0-3) host the Atlanta Falcons (0-4) in the preseason finale for both teams. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan leaves the field after an NFL football practice, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) sets up for a play during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 17-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
