CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Every year there are questions to answer during Training Camp and this year in no different for the Browns.
As veterans report for training camp, here’s a look at the questions they hope to answer on defense
1. The bookends are back but what about the defensive tackles?
The return of Jadeveon Clowney on another one-year contract allows the Browns to keep their dynamic pass rush duo intact that saw Clowney and All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett combine for 25 sacks, 52 QB hits, 298 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and five batted passes in 2021.
The acquisition of Chase Winovich from the Patriots gives them a third starting end to rotate in when Garrett or Clowney need a breather but the key question up front is in the middle of the defensive line.
Defensive tackle might be the most intriguing position of the preseason to keep track of.
Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan likely start camp with the ones as the most experienced players. Bryan has 63 games with 17 starts over four years while with the Jaguars under his belt. He had a pair of sacks, eight QB hits and four tackles for loss last season. Elliott appeared in 16 games with three starts last year for the Browns where he was credited with a half sack, four QB hits and a batted pass.
Perrion Winfrey, their charismatic fourth-round pick, will get an opportunity to earn significant playing time as a rookie. Another fourth-round pick, Tommy Togiai, who had half a sack, a pass breakup and QB hit and 16 tackles in limited time over six games as a rookie in 2021 will also have the chance to earn rotation time. Sheldon Day, who has started three games over his six-year career, will be auditioning for a roster spot.
Camp and the preseason should give EVP/GM Andrew Berry an opportunity to evaluate their depth at the position and if tweaks need to be made at the end of August to the roster there, the waiver wire should provide the opportunity to do so before Week 1.
2. A big leap for JOK on the way?
The Browns might have found their game-changing linebacker in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. JOK is no joke. The 2021 second-round pick is coming off a stellar rookie season that saw him flash his athleticism, versatility and play-making ability. In 14 games – 10 starts, Owusu-Koramoah tallied 76 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four QB hits, four batted passes and a pair of forced fumbles. He is the future in the middle of the front seven and will be a player to watch this coming season.
For whatever reason, Berry has been accused of not respecting the importance of or investing in the linebacker position, yet he’s drafted three players including Owusu-Koramoah, Jacob Phillips (third round 2020) and Tony Fields II (2021 fifth round) and signed veteran Anthony Walker Jr. to one-year deals in each of the last two offseasons.
3. The secondary is deep, but can they stay healthy?
Defensive coordinators around the league clamor for defensive backs. You simply can not have enough of them on your roster because it is a passing league and attrition associated with that. The good news for Joe Woods is that he has plenty of options in the secondary this season, but the last two years have shown that the ranks can be thinned quickly.
Woods loves his three-safety package featuring John Johnson III, Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to see much of it but that should change this year assuming the trio can remain healthy. The numbers game behind those three will be interesting to watch with Richard LeCounte III, who got himself in the doghouse last year as a rookie, Nate Meaders, Luther Kirk IV and D’Anthony Bell competing for jobs.
Denzel Ward, fresh off receiving a new $100.5 million contract extension, anchors the cornerback room and is joined by 2021 first rounder Greg Newsome II and Greedy Williams in the starting lineup. A.J. Green and 2022 third-round pick Martin Jr. are positioned to contribute significantly as well.
If everyone can stay healthy, the secondary figures to be a strength of the defense while Garrett and Clowney apply the heat up front.