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Cleveland Browns: Predicting the starting defense in 2017

By Shane Carter

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (90) hits Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the pass during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (90) hits Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the pass during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns nose tackle Danny Shelton (55) during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns nose tackle Danny Shelton (55) during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

The defensive line will be a young group, with Danny Shelton, Jamie Meder and Xavier Cooper, who are all entering their third year, being the “veterans” of the group.

Here is how the starting defensive will shake out in Williams’ 4-3 base defense.

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Defensive End: Myles Garrett; Emanuel Ogbah

Oh baby! Fans got to see the potential in Ogbah last season with his 5.5 sacks, and now they get to see even more potential in Garrett, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.

These two players coming off the edge will give quarterbacks fits and bruises for seasons to come. Don’t over think this. If Ogbah plays like he did last season and Garrett plays like he should, then this team could end up having the best pair of pass rushers in the league.

Related: Browns select Myles Garrett at No. 1

Defensive Tackle: Danny Shelton; Larry Ogunjobi

Danny Shelton is obvious. He’s been solid at stopping the run, but has underachieved in pass rush with only 1.5 sacks in his career. The good news is that under the team’s new 4-3 defensive scheme, he won’t be the total focus of the center and guards as he will have an additional tackle partner to play along side. His numbers should improve.

Related: Browns select Larry Ogunjobi

In the case of Ogunjobi, this pick remains to be seen. Ogunjobi is a 6-foot-3 and 305-pound tackle out of UNC-Charlotte. In his collegiate career, he totaled an impressive  217 tackles, 13 sacks, 49 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hurries (all school records).

However, he’ll get some stiff competition from fellow rookie Caleb Brantley who, if it weren’t for off-field issues, might have been a first-round pick, making him a great value. However, if these issues don’t clear up, there’s speculation that the team could cut him. If he’s cleared, then Brantley will probably win the job, but because legal issues can take time to sort out, let’s go with Ogunjobi as the starter for now.

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