4 ways Cleveland Browns can improve their defense for the second half of season

4 steps the Cleveland Browns can take to make their defense better

As expected, the Cleveland Browns have fielded one of the NFL’s worst defenses over the first eight games of the 2020 season. The unit was already going to be weak, even before injuries to starters Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams, neither of which have played this year.

The pass defense has been much maligned, but heading into Week 8, the Browns ranked fifth in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed. The Las Vegas Raiders proceeded to dominate the line of scrimmage to the tune of 209 ground yards. There is really nothing the group does well, and outside of Myles Garrett and Ronnie Harrison, no player is really living up to expectations, and many are falling significantly short.

The team made no trades before last week’s deadline, and save for Williams returning from a nerve injury, which may or may not happen, defensive coordinator Joe Woods is stuck with the current roster for the remaining eight games of this season. Because of that, there won’t be any drastic changes to the performance of the defense.

Garrett has been playing banged up over the past three games, and his effectiveness has clearly been hampered because of that. The bye week could not have come at a better time for this team, as they need to heal up before making a run at the playoffs. Even though the defensive personnel won’t be changing, there are things that Woods can do to help his guys play better. Here are four steps the Browns should take.