With the NFL Draft a week away, the countdown is on to see who the Browns use their six draft picks on to add young talent to the roster.
To continue with the assessments of position groups the Browns could focus on, let's look at the defensive line.
The Browns brought back key players of their defensive line during free agency, re-signing DE Za'Darius Smith, DT Shelby Harris and DT Maurice Hurst II. They also added DT Quinton Jefferson in free agency to a line that is anchored by DE Myles Garrett and features DE Ogbo Okoronkwo.
However, the Browns could look to add younger players to their defensive line who could learn from the veterans in the room. Let's break down a few prospects at defensive tackle and defensive end that could be a fit for the Browns with either their Day 2 or Day 3 picks.
Here's a look at the top prospects for defensive tackle that could be potential fits for the Browns.
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) steps up tp the line against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Kansas State quarterback Will Howard (18) is pressured by Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) during overtime in an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian calls defensive tackles T'Vondre Sweat, an Outland Trophy finalist, and Byron Murphy II the best interior linemen tandem in the country and the anchor for a defense that leads the nation in third down efficiency and red zone defense. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) runs through drills during LSU's NCAA football pro day in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) celebrate the sack on Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris (0) is pressured by Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) looks to the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) lines up during an NCAA college football game against Grambling State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) warms up during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) waits for a play in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is sacked by Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Defensive Tackle
NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund highlighted two defensive tackles in the latest episode of Draft on Tap, discussing Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. and LSU's Maason Smith.
Hall played three seasons at OSU where he finished with 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also recorded one fumble recovery. His best season came during the 2023 season, as he set a career high of 24 total tackles.
"Interior defenders are an interesting puzzle to solve yet again in this year's draft. One that could be a target for the Browns: OSU's Michael Hall Jr.," Frelund said. "Hall Jr.'s burst – which is his acceleration when the ball is snapped – was the third-fastest among all Power 5 DTs on the field last season for the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder ran a 4.78 40-yard dash in Columbus at his Pro Day, a time that tied the fastest at the position from the combine."
Smith missed all but one game of the 2022 season with an injury, but recorded 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes defended in his three seasons at LSU.
"Maason Smith – the 6-foot-6, over 300-pounder from LSU – has some special traits that this team could be well-positioned to make the most of," Frelund said. "After an ACL tear in 2022, he played over 580 total snaps last season, and was impactful as a pass rusher with 20 pressures on 345 pass rush snaps, per PFF."
Another player who could be in the range for the Browns and a potential fit is Kris Jenkins. In four years at Michigan, Jenkins tallied 113 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. He is a strong run defender and ranked sixth among defensive tackles at the combine with an athleticism score of 83.
Here's a look at the top prospects for defensive end that could be potential fits for the Browns.
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) celebrates a fumble recovery against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac runs a drill during the NCAA college football team's NFL Pro Day Friday, March 15, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Utah defensive lineman Jonah Elliss speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) rushes against Indiana tight end Bradley Archer (82) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive lineman Adisa Isaac runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
National edge Adisa Isaac of Penn St (20) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) sacks Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) celebrates against Iowa during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) tackles Southern Utah running back Elijah Burns (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) celebrates a win against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown as Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) attempts to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Utah defensive lineman Jonah Elliss poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Penn Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) celebrates a win over Indiana in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) sacks Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon (3) celebrates with Adisa Isaac (20 after sacking Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) participates in senior day before an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) gestures during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 51-15. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) takes the field for an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) celebrate after recovering a fumble by Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Defensive End
The Browns have key veteran edge players that help anchor their defense in Smith, Garrett and Okoronkwo. However, they could look to add some youth to that part of their defensive line.
Adisa Isaac brings a level of recognition and awareness as an edge prospect. He can work his way around blocks due to his active hands and feet, as well as his reaction to the snap. Isaac missed the 2021 season due to an Achilles injury, but over four seasons at Penn State, he tallied 92 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He also recorded one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. At the combine, Isaac ranked ninth among all defensive end/edge players with an athleticism score of 74.
Jonah Elliss can attack the pocket well through different approaches and can use his motor to expose blockers. In three seasons at Utah, Elliss tallied 78 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He also added three passes defended, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Elliss was also named a second-team Associated Press All-American in 2023, and first-team All-Pac-12 Conference.
Austin Booker spent two seasons a Minnesota before he transferred and played his final year at Kansas. In 2023, Booker was named to the first-team All-Big 12 Conference, as well as Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcome of the Year. He led the team with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks and tallied a total of 56 tackles during the 2023 season. He also recorded one pass breakup and two forced fumbles. Even with his limited sample size in games, Booker has an explosive athleticism and is a solid rusher.
