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PFF names Cleveland Browns defensive line a top-three pass rushing unit

By Dan Justik

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a pass as Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns defends during the first half in the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a pass as Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns defends during the first half in the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns have built a formidable defensive line, and Pro Football Focus believes they will be a top pass rushing unit in 2019.

The Cleveland Browns made the defensive line a point of emphasis this offseason. Cleveland added two new starters to the defensive front, trading for Olivier Vernon and signing Sheldon Richardson.

The addition of those two defensive linemen to a front that already featured Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi makes the Browns’ starting defensive line a potentially dominating group in 2019.

Garrett made life difficult for opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks by himself in 2018, making 44 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 29 quarterback hits. According to Pro Football Focus, Garrett had a team-leading 67 pressures.

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Garrett’s presence on Cleveland’s defensive line created enough problems that he was regularly being double-teamed, but was still able to be productive and generate pressure. But with the group the Browns will have in 2019, it will be hard for offensive coordinators to double-team Garrett as often.

With the addition of Vernon, who has proven to be an effective pass rusher off the edge his entire career, Garrett will have another threat to create pressure on his opposite side. Pairing Vernon with Garrett is one reason why Pro Football Focus graded the Browns as the third-best pass rushing unit in 2019.

"One of the biggest movers this offseason. Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson are easy plug-and-play options who earned pass-rushing grades of 86.0 and 65.8 respectively last season. – Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus"

The Cleveland Browns starting defensive line of Garrett, Ogunjobi, Richardson, and Vernon totaled 196 pressures in 2018, according to PFF. Because of how each player can get after the quarterback, the Browns should be one of the most feared defensive fronts in the NFL in 2019.

The additions of Vernon and Richardson will make it less difficult for Garrett and Ogunjobi because they will not receive as much attention as they did last season. And if they do, Vernon and Richardson have the ability themselves to beat their blockers and get in the backfield.

Cleveland also boasts a talented secondary, which should force opposing quarterbacks to hold onto the ball an extra second longer, giving more time for the pass rush to get home. And with Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator, the pass rush will be aggressively getting upfield to collapse the pocket.

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The Browns made several additions to their defense this offseason with the hopes of turning around a unit that was ranked towards the bottom of the league in 2018. With the pass rushing unit Cleveland will have in 2019, they should be a much better unit this upcoming season.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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