Daily Dawg Tags: What do we know about Cleveland Browns defense in 2021?

The Daily Dawg Tags bring you all the Cleveland Browns news you need to know, including what we learned about the defense and what it means for 2021

At times, it was frustrating. Other times, it was opportunistic. But overall, the Cleveland Browns defense in 2020 missed the mark.

It felt as though defensive coordinator Joe Woods employed a bend but don’t break approach and relied heavily on turnovers to swing the momentum. There were games it worked but in other contests, the dam ended up breaking which opened the floodgates.

Still, not everything was bad and the fact is, Woods was dealing with a revolving door at many positions due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols. While we can’t go back and change anything from 2020, we can learn from it and see what it means for this team going forward.

A story looking at that very scenario leads today’s Daily Dawg Tags.

Cleveland Browns News

What did we learn about the Browns’ defense this season and what does it means for next year? — Ellis L. Williams, Cleveland.com

"“Joe Woods deserves credit and a healthy depth chartRemember, Terrance Mitchell led the Browns in snaps played. Back during training camp, I’m certain that wasn’t the plan Woods and Kevin Stefanski formulated. But injuries and the unforeseen happen in this league”"

While it’s not a popular takeaway, Williams is correct. Joe Woods deserves another season at least before we start jumping down his throat. The guy had players on the field in their biggest game that he hardly knew, which isn’t easy no matter who else is on the roster. Of course, he has some other great things to say about the defense, including some comparisons between Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett.

Browns first-round mock draft roundup (1/26/21) — Thomas Moore, Dawgs by Nature

"“This year, it is widely expected that Berry will turn his attention to the defense, which needs help, in no particular order, at defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback and safety. (Did we miss anything?)”"

Moore combines several different mock drafts which all have one thing in common — defense. That’s not surprising at all, and it’s likely the way Andrew Berry will lean when he’s on the clock on April 29.

5 trade targets in event of a Saints fire sale

The New Orleans Saints will be $105 million over the salary cap next season — which is nearly enough money to field an entire team. They loaded up for a Super Bowl run and now will have to shed a lot of their big contracts — and even some young players who will be due for a new deal soon. Here, Sam Penix looks at five players Cleveland should call them about.