Photos: Position Preview - Defensive Line

Position Preview

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Porter Gustin (97) during a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Porter Gustin (94) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Takkarist McKinley (55) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Takkarist McKinley (55) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Sheldon Day (92) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Curtis Weaver (59) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (65) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Damion Square (61) during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

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Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Cameron Malveaux (69) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) and Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the second day of minicamp on June 16, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) during the first day of minicamp on June 15, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Curtis Weaver (59) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Sheldon Day (92) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first day of minicamp on June 15, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Sheldon Day (92) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Takkarist McKinley (55) during the first day of minicamp on June 15, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Romeo McKnight (57) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (65) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) and Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Curtis Weaver (59) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) during the fourth day of phase two on May 20, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during the third day of phase two on May 19, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (65) during the first day of phase two on May 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Romeo McKnight (57) during the third day of rookie minicamp on May 16, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) during practice on September 21, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) during the first day of rookie minicamp on May 14, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) during the first day of rookie minicamp on May 14, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Porter Gustin (97) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Cameron Malveaux (69) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Cameron Malveaux (69) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) before a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during practice on August 13, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) during practice on October 14, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Specialists

The Browns kept their core specialists together after a successful 2023 season, re-signing Bojorquez in free agency and extending Hopkins. Both Bojorquez and Hopkins have their share of accomplishments in their time in Cleveland. Bojorquez set the Browns single season punt average in each of his two seasons since joining the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2022, while Hopkins set a Browns record for most field goals in a season by a Brown by making 33 of his 36 field goals.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Linebackers

The Browns linebacker room went through a number of changes during the offseason, as they lost Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki to other teams in free agency. However, they brought in Hicks and Bush for depth, as well as drafted rookie Watson in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with the changes to the unit, they are anchored by Owusu-Koramoah – who had a breakout season in 2023 -- and is likely to have a more prominent role in 2024.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Safeties

The Browns brought back a key veteran to their safeties as they re-signed Rodney McLeod Jr. for his final season – which he announced on an appearance of NFL Network's "Total Access" in May – as well as extended Delpit in Dec. 2023. They have the necessary depth to the secondary with the presence of Thornhill, as well as anticipated growth from their younger players in Bell and Hickman.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Cornerbacks

The Browns have a solid level of depth to their cornerback room, starting with the veteran presence of Ward and Newsome, as well as with the leap that Emerson took in his second season with Cleveland. The corners played an integral role in the success of the Browns defense throughout the 2023 season – Emerson led the team with four interceptions and tied with Newsome to lead the team with 14 passes defensed, while Ward recorded 11 passes defensed and forced two interceptions.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Wide Receivers

The Browns added more talent to their receiving corps when they acquired Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos and extended him for three years. They have a solid group of pass catchers in Jeudy, Cooper and Moore, as well as the emergence of Tillman in his second year. Tillman was a standout in minicamp and was recognized for the work he put in during the offseason. Thrash, who the Browns drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, showcased potential during OTAs and minicamp.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Quarterbacks

With a healthy quarterback room, the Browns can use training camp to build their new offense around Watson and the talented receiving corps. They'll have consistency at quarterback from the start of the season in someone who can help facilitate the offense.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Tight Ends

The Browns have solid tight end options that they can use as pass catchers and offensive weapons for QB Deshaun Watson. It all begins with Njoku – who will continue to have a prominent role in the offense. Njoku comes into the 2024 season leading the group after a standout 2023 season, in which he led the team with 81 receptions and a career-high six receiving touchdowns. Yet, Akins also has the potential to have a bigger role in his second year with the Browns.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Running Backs

The Browns fortified their running back room during the offseason, as they signed Hines, Foreman and Ricci during free agency, who each have experience in the league and have played different roles over their careers. Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, as well as a strong kick returner. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside WB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Offensive Line

The Browns will see the return of key tackles during the 2024 season in Conklin, Jones and Wills. Having their tackles back in the mix will provide a lift to the offensive line that was depleted last season due to all the injuries. Bitonio, Teller and Pocic also anchor the Browns offensive line, and each play an integral role in the success up front. The Browns also re-signed Dunn, bringing back a long-time staple of the offensive line.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Defensive Line

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.