Cleveland Browns: Looking at the defensive end rotation

Chad Thomas

Although they passed on Chubb — but later took his cousin, running back Nick Chubb — the Browns did select a defensive end. It just wasn’t a big name one.

In Round 3, Cleveland took Chad Thomas out of Miami. He’s got great size and could offer help in both the pass and run game. Some felt he was drafted a bit high and there’s questions about his desire since he’s also very into making music.

Those questions shouldn’t matter too much since Thomas was the best defender on a solid team with the Hurricanes. He may not be a huge contributor as a rookie, but Thomas can develop into a good rotational weapon.

Nate Orchard

Nate Orchard has moved from linebacker to defensive end, but has yet to really produce. There was some talk that he could be on the way out this offseason, and he still may not make the final roster.

Orchard will have to show he’s a better option than the young guys on the roster, and it can’t be close as the team will go with youth and potential as a tie breaker.

Marcell Frazier

One guy who could push Orchard out of a job in Marcell Frazier, the undrafted edge rusher from Missouri. Frazier has great size at 6-foot-5 and 255-pounds and was a strong player in the SEC.

Next: What will the offensive line look like in 2018?

He’s more of an effort player than an athletic specimen, but sometimes those guys make the best special teams players and rotation defenders.