NFL Scouting Combine: 3 prospects Cleveland Browns need to watch day 3

Day 3 Scouting Combine prospect No. 2 for Cleveland Browns to monitor: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut

For the past couple of seasons, the Cleveland Browns have been using similar-style players at both defensive tackle spots. They went with Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjoni in 2020 who were both considered 3-tech tackles. They hoped to have Andrew Billings at the one, but he opted out due to COVID.

Billings returned in 2021 but managed just one tackle before being released. With him not taking the starting role, they featured Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell — again, both 3-tech players. Both are also free agents, so Cleveland needs to revamp the defensive line and they could look to finally get a player capable of playing the nose position whcih will help them tremendously in slowing down the opposing rushing attack.

One such prospect who could do this is Travis Jones of Connecticut. Jones racked up 134 tackles with 19 going for a loss and another 8.5 sacks in three seasons. He measured in at 6-foot-4 and 325-pounds and while he’s got the size — and showed plenty of power in college — Jones can do himself a lot of good by showing that off on Saturday. It also wouldn’t hurt to show some smoothness when running drills.

Cleveland still needs to add more than one defenisve tackle but securing a bug run-stuffer such as Jones could be a wise move for them.