Cleveland Browns defensive depth chart: PFF fair or not?

Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

If the defensive line can slow down the run, we’re not ready just yet to stay stop the run, the linebackers may actually be better than some are expecting.

Karlos Dansby, an 11-year veteran who played his first season in Cleveland in 2014, led the way with a High Quality ranking, followed by Paul Kruger, who totaled a career-best 11 sacks, with a ranking of Good. Rounding out the starters are Barkevious Mingo (Average) and Craig Robertson (Below Average).

Among the backups, returnees Armonty Bryant has Not Enough Info as he switches from the defensive line to outside linebacker, and Chris Kirksey is Average. Draft picks Nate Orchard and Hayes Pullard are both Rookies.

Related: Browns Position Rreview – Linebackers

One overlooked player may be Tank Carder, who will be entering his fourth season this fall.

“This spring has been eye-opening,” linebackers coach Chuck Driesbach told the team’s website. “He’s been an excellent blitzer. His coverage skills are good. He’s a playmaker. He’s shown solid leadership and command in making the calls out there. He gives us so much depth and he’s a guy we now know we can do some things with.”

When the team’s official website starts talking up a particular player, it is probably a good idea to pay attention.

While Kruger’s ranking may be a little low, especially since he seems like a great fit for defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil‘s system, Dansby’s may be a little bit high, especially when you consider that Dansby may have contributed to the problems the Browns had in stopping the run last season as he struggled at times with his assignments.

“The way we played our defense was totally different than anything I had played before,” Dansby told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “The alignment issues, that’s on me. That’s something I can get better at . . . It will help everyone else if I am lined up correctly.”

Dansby didn’t get to be an 11-year veteran by not learning from his mistakes, however, and is reportedly working to correct the issues from 2014.

“As long as he continues to make more plays than he’s giving up, you’re OK with it, and he did last year. There were times that it did hurt us, and showing them those clips and explaining it to him and then just him being in year two is really going to help him,” O’Neil told NEOMG. “He had a phenomenal year for us, and that wasn’t the reason we struggled in the run game – because of Karlos Dansby’s alignments – but it was just one of the things that we needed to get better at.”

Much like Kruger, Mingo may be a bit under-rated. While the previous regime drafted Mingo as a pass rusher, the current coaching staff has successfully deployed him as the team’s best cover linebacker. His sack numbers may not be what some would like them to be, but that doesn’t mean that Mingo is not a productive player. (And we’re looking forward to seeing how he plays this fall now that he doesn’t have one arm strapped down in a sling on game day.)

We’re also looking forward to seeing what Orchard can do as a potential bookend pass rusher with Kruger.

Verdict: Fair

Next: The Secondary