The Browns continue to bolster their defensive line and pass rush, as they have signed DE Julian Okwara to a deal.
Originally drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Okwara spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Lions as a linebacker. In four seasons, he appeared in 38 games with four starts and recorded 54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, nine sacks, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Okwara was then signed by the Cardinals to their practice squad in 2024 before he was elevated to the active roster in September 2024. In his one season with Arizona, Okwara appeared in 13 games with one start as an outside linebacker. He totaled 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, one sack and one pass defensed.
Now, Okwara joins a defensive line with the Browns that features Myles Garrett, Sam Kamara, Isaiah McGuire, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Alex Wright on the ends. In defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's 4-3 system, Okwara can bring his experience from the Cardinals as an outside linebacker to play the role of a defensive end.
