2. Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End
When the Browns added edge rusher Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson to a defensive line that already boasted Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi, it seemed too good to be true. All four players were able to generate pressure on the quarterback and three of them had been Pro Bowlers.
The problem was, John Dorsey once again proved he didn’t like building depth as he shipped off Emmanuel Ogbah who was the starter prior to Vernon’s arrival and was still on a rookie deal meaning he wouldn’t have been too expensive and would have been a great rotational defensive end — however, Dorsey seemed of the belief that if you were no longer a starter you couldn’t possibly add reliable depth. That left them without much help on the bench and when Vernon was hurt and Garrett was suspended, they found themselves hurting.
Chad Thomas improved upon his play from the previous season but there was a significant decline from their starters. They also had to shift Richardson over to help at defensive end, which highlighted their depth issues at defensive tackle as well.
Again, Andrew Berry realized this can’t happen again in 2020 and that led to him bringing in Adrian Clayborn in free agency. A nine-year vet, Clayborn gives Cleveland a lot of experience on the bench. He’s also more than capable of starting and holding his own. It might not have been the flashiest signing but it was one of Berry’s smarter moves.