Cleveland Browns 3 biggest needs after first live scrimmages
By Greg Newland
Interior Defensive Lineman:
Perhaps the biggest blow to the Browns before the injuries started to rack up was the opting out of defensive tackle Billings because of COVID-19 concerns. While no one faults Billings for his decision, it is a major blow to the middle of the Browns defense that went from stacked to lacking depth.
The three-headed monster of Billings, Larry Ogunjobi, and Sheldon Richardson would have been as dangerous as any trio in the league. Richardson is the all-around player that can stay on the field for all three downs, while Ogunjobi has proven to be a tremendous pass rusher and Billings can stuff the run.
Rookie third-round pick Jordan Elliott will likely be the next man up, but now being forced into action versus developing over time can sometimes hurt a rookie’s potential. Through the first week of training camp, Elliott continues to see a lot of repetitions, but with the action still limited, it’s tough to say if he ready to play in the NFL.
Options again are limited in free agency, but veterans like Damon (Snacks) Harrison and Marcell Dareus are available. These guys are certainly out of their prime but could give you 30-35 productive snaps per game if needed. The defensive tackle market won’t be as hot as some, so the Browns would have time to sit back and evaluate if it is a true necessity or not.