Cleveland Browns defensive depth chart: PFF fair or not?
By Thomas Moore
Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) talks to fans during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Cleveland Browns 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Now we get to the top dawgs on the defense.
Cornerback Joe Haden (Pro Bowl 2014) and safety Donte Whitner (Pro Bowl 2014) check in as High Quality, while cornerback Tramon Williams and safety Tashaun Gipson (Pro Bowl 2014) are both listed as Good. Fifth defensive back K’Waun Williams also comes in as Good.
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Things get a little dicey, however, once you get past the starters, as their is Not Enough Info on players like Pierre Desir, Johnson Bademosi and Jordan Poyer; while Justin Gilbert is listed as Average after a disappointing rookie season. If one of the starters goes down, it may be a bit unpleasant.
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The Browns had one of the best defensive secondaries in the league in 2014, finishing ninth in the NFL in points allowed at 21.1 per game, tied for 10th by allowing opposing offenses to convert on just 38 percent of third-down attempts, was second in interceptions with 21, was eighth in pass yards allowed per game at 224.5, and was tops in the league in allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete just 57.1 percent of their pass attempts.
As Pro Football Focus put it:
"Despite the pessimism around several parts of the roster, the Browns starting defensive backfield is up there with the very best in the league. Joe Haden might not be in that elite group at cornerback, but he is in the high quality group below, and he’s now joined in Cleveland by Tramon Williams. In the slot, K’Waun Williams really impressed on limited work in 2014, finishing the year with a +11.0 coverage grade. At safety, the duo of Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner are one of the best safety pairings in the NFL."
If everyone stays healthy, and Williams and Gilbert take a step forward, this secondary could be the best the Browns have seen since the late 1980s and the unit could be one of the best in the NFL.
This is a smart and talented group, which is important as O’Neil is looking to add to their responsibilities this fall.
It all starts up front, however, as opposing offenses can neutralize the secondary if they can successfully run the ball, which brings us full circle back to the defensive line.
Verdict: Fair
What do you think of the depth chart rankings for the Browns?