Cleveland Browns: EDGE, defensive tackle, or receiver at 44?
By Jacob Roach
Why Cleveland Browns should target EDGE at 44
Myles Garrett had the best running mate of his career last year with Jadeveon Clowney and it resulted in both having great seasons. Being able to have someone opposite Garrett that can consistently draw attention makes the Browns’ defensive line really tough to handle.
Clowney may be back but it is likely not a long-term deal and the Browns have got to set up that line to be great for years to come.
Myles Garrett will always draw double teams so any player that comes to Cleveland at the position will have the luxury of knowing they will have plenty of one on one chances. In the modern NFL passing league, you have to get to the quarterback consistently and you will never have enough edge rushers.
Cleveland Browns EDGE fits at 44
There are two really great fits for what the Browns like at edge rusher at pick 44 and that is Drake Jackson of USC and Cameron Thomas of San Diego State. Drake Jackson is an athletic freak, explosive off the line of scrimmage, and has a motor that doesn’t quit.
He’s still really raw at the position but you don’t see a guy with his level of athleticism all that often. He will need some time to really grow into his own but who better to learn from than Myles Garrett.
Cameron Thomas is another one of those tweeners who can play both outside and inside on the defensive line. He is a bigger edge player that excels at setting the edge in the run game and not letting players get outside. He has a great blend of both power and speed moves that could fit really well in Joe Woods’s scheme.