Cleveland Browns: Top 5 pass rushers Browns will face in 2017
By Joel W. Cade
5. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap
The first dynamic duo on this list comes from the in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals. This pick is a little unconventional.
Conventional wisdom states that the best pass rushers usually come from the edge. But there is a reason the Browns doubled down on guards this past offseason. More teams are looking to gain pressure up the middle as it is the shortest path to the quarterback.
The mechanics of this style of pressure is simple. First, the edge rushers create pressure to force the quarterback to step up in the pocket. Second, linebackers or defensive tackles break through up the middle to record the sack. This process is more effective than the traditional edge rushers beating an offensive tackle around the corner.
One team who is exceptional at this style of pressure is the Cincinnati Bengals. With Carlos Dunlap, depending on which Carlos Dunlap shows up, the Bengals have a dynamic defensive end who can pressure the quarterback from the edge.
Geno Atkins is a dynamic defensive tackle for the Bengals. Playing primarily in the 3-technique, he is able to penetrate up the middle on quarterbacks creating sacks, pressures and hurries.
Together this pass rush duo is one to be feared. They can attack from up the middle and off the edge.