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Cleveland Browns: 5 defensive players on the bubble as camp begins

By Casey Kinnamon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams tries to get around the tackle of Terrance Mitchell #39 of the Cleveland Browns during a fourth quarter run at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams tries to get around the tackle of Terrance Mitchell #39 of the Cleveland Browns during a fourth quarter run at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 24: Defensive tackle Eli Ankou #91 of the Cleveland Browns walls off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)”n
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 24: Defensive tackle Eli Ankou #91 of the Cleveland Browns walls off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)”n /

4. Eli Ankou, DT

Eli Ankou is entering his fourth year in the NFL. The 6-foot-3 325lb defensive tackle was a player who benefitted from the chaos of 2019. Due to injuries and the suspension of a certain defensive end, the defensive line became an all hands-on deck situation towards the end of 2019.

Ankou played in nine games in 2019 and even started in two of those contests. Before training camp and before Covid-19 completely changed the landscape, Ankou was facing an extremely uphill battle to make the roster. The Browns already have their starting defensive tackles in place with Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi both returning. Then with the free-agent signing of Andrew Billings and addition of third-round pick Jordan Eliott, the roles for backup defensive tackle were all but spoken for.

However, with Billings opting out due to health-related concerns over Covid-19, it appears that a door has opened up for Ankou or returning second-year player Daniel Ekuale to make the roster. On paper, you would think the edge would go to Ankou. He is slightly younger and has 25lbs on Ekuale, but if you evaluate the tape from last season, it’s clear that Ekuale is a better overall athlete. Their production was very similar last season despite Ankou playing 68 more defensive snaps.

Ekuale has also been building up momentum inside of the Browns training facility and if the coaching staff feels that he has the higher upside then Ankou could be looking for a new team.

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