Cleveland Browns: DT Johnathan Hankins to work out for Browns

The Cleveland Browns do not have the best depth at the defensive tackle position, but could add talent to the position this week with Johnathan Hankins set to work out for the team.

The Cleveland Browns have added a lot of pieces to their defense this off-season, building depth in almost every position group.

But one of the positions that seemed ignored was defensive tackle. After trading Danny Shelton in March, the team was down a starter on the defensive line. The team added players to the defensive line, but all of their additions are best suited for playing the edge.

However, the Browns may be looking to finally address the need at defensive tackle this week. According to a report from Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, the Browns will be bringing in free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins in for a work out sometime this week.

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Hankins was released by the Colts in March just one year after signing a three-year, $27 million deal with Indianapolis in 2017. Last season, Hankins made 44 tackles, two sacks, and three passes defended.

The Colts cutting Hankins was a surprise since he has been a productive player ever since he entered the league. But after a coaching change, the Colts must have felt that he was not going to fit in their new defense. Hankins still being a free agent in March is shocking.

For the Browns, the team needed to look to add depth to the defensive tackle position when Trevon Coley went down with a high ankle sprain. Since his injury, the Browns’ lack of quality depth has been exposed.

Adding Hankins will not only add depth, but create a strong starting defensive line. At 320 pounds, Hankins is a force at the line of scrimmage and dominates at stopping the run. But for a man of his size, Hankins is good at getting to the quarterback. In 2014, Hankins put up a career high seven sacks.

The Browns have the cap space flexibility to give Hankins the money that he wants, which could be why Hankins has remained unsigned. It may not be a long-term deal, but Hankins will certainly improve the Browns’ defense. If he has a good work out for the Browns, the former Ohio State Buckeye could be suiting up for Cleveland soon.