Grading Cleveland Browns position groups before free agency and draft
By Clay Goodwin
Defensive line: B+
Another strong group for the Browns is their defensive line. The starters are full of star power with the likes of Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon. This group can dominate an offensive front and cause major problems for opposing teams.
When healthy and all on the field together, this group is hard to block. The problem is simply that. They were rarely on the field together in 2019. Garrett was suspended for six games after his incident with Mason Rudolph. Vernon was injured for six games himself throughout the season. Ogunjobi was also suspended one game for his actions in the scuffle against the Steelers.
The group is much stronger together because it forces offenses to block them all at once. When one or more of them is out of the lineup, the offensive line can double team or send chips at the one true force, and it eliminates most of the pressure. The unit needs to stay on the field this season and they can be dangerous.
Another problem with the defensive front is they are very top-heavy, much like the receiver group. There is not a backup lineman that can fill in for the starters and hold nearly the same production. The hope is backup defensive end, Chad Thomas, can continue to develop into a consistent player. Until then, the reserve units are bad.
In order for this group to improve into the A range, they must stay on the field together and also add some quality depth to the position. This is still a strength for the Cleveland Browns and will likely have a good year.