Cleveland Browns: 3 deepest position groups in 2018
3. Defensive Line
While the offensive line has gotten thinner for the Browns with the retirement of Joe Thomas, the defensive line has become one of the team’s strongest points. An important thing to remember here is that the Browns have been at this game for quite a while now.
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Sashi Brown began building this studly line in 2016, with the second-round selection of Emmanuel Ogbah. Ogbah had a decent season as a rookie, racking up 5.5 sacks and 28 tackles, but it was clear to see that the Oklahoma State product had more to offer. He simply needed time to develop, and someone who could work alongside him. Then, the Browns added Myles Garrett to the mix.
2017’s No. 1 overall pick had an immediate impact on the NFL stage, busting through the New York Jets’ offensive line to record a sack on his very first professional play. During the time Ogbah and Garrett were on the field together, Cleveland’s front seven started firing on all cylinders. Not only were they getting to the quarterback more and more often, but they could stop the run as well, becoming the seventh-ranked run defense in the league.
Now, the Browns run five, maybe even six deep on the defensive line. Garrett, Ogbah, Larry Ogunjobi, Caleb Brantley, Jamie Meder, and Trevon Coley are all viable options. If they keep going at this rate, the Browns could have the top defensive line in the NFL for the foreseeable future.