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An analytical look at the Cleveland Browns defensive line

By Jarrett Griebeler

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Myles Garrett #85 of the Cleveland Browns looks over the offense during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Myles Garrett #85 of the Cleveland Browns looks over the offense during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive End Chad Thomas #92 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a fumble in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive End Chad Thomas #92 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a fumble in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

Chad Thomas – Third year defensive end

Chad Thomas now enters his third year as a Brown with some nice experience under his belt from last year. Thomas has had to sit behind players like Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Olivier Vernon in his first two seasons, but last year he was given more chances to play and ultimately improved in his techniques.

During the 2019 campaign, Thomas started eight games, but played in all 16 games. After Garrett’s suspension, Thomas was given a chance to start in those games to prove how far he came from 2018, in which he played few snaps.

Gaining 26 tackles, 17 of those being solo, and racking up four sacks to go along with it, put him in a good position to be in a pass rush rotation for this upcoming season. He played a total of 465 defensive snaps, which was 44 percent of the total defensive snaps on the year. He showed the ability to rush the passer and get into the backfield as well, making six tackles for loss and four quarterback hits.

Thomas has flashes that prove he can be a good pass rusher in the league. One problem for him is he’s currently behind two great pass rushers in Garrett and Vernon. He showed in 2019 he improved his technique and was able to make an impact on the defensive line.

If Thomas sees more snaps this season, he could put up slightly better numbers than last year. Thomas’s development will be interesting to see come training camp and preseason.

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