Browns mailbag: What will Cleveland get from defensive tackles

With the season opener for the Browns less than 24 hours away, what can the team expect from the defensive tackles and other reader questions?

It’s the best time of the year with the Browns set to kick off their 2022 campaign the next day as they face former quarterback Baker Mayfield. What impact can the defensive tackles have? What did the Browns like the most about Martin Emerson and more?

If you are interested in having your questions in future mailbags questions will be taken every Thursday and can be emailed to brownsmailbag@gmail.com.

Do you think the interior of the Browns line can keep JOK clean enough to make the plays he is clearly capable of making? (@JoshBrownCLE on Twitter)

This is the biggest question heading into the season and especially the week one matchup against Christian McCaffrey. The offensive line of the Panthers isn’t one of the best in the league so if there was a time for these defensive tackles to step up it’s this week.

Jordan Elliott is the man to look at he clearly changed his body type and playing style in the preseason if it can translate to the regular season he should be crucial in letting JOK play at a high level.

What is Martin Emerson’s greatest strength? (@karnsies817 on Twitter)

This is an interesting question, I am high on Emerson and I think he will be a decent role player for the Browns this year. But his greatest strength is probably his combination of size and physicality.

He looks like a linebacker at times playing corner and it shows, great size and length and long arms that make it easier for him to break up passes. Take his preseason pick-six as a perfect example of him playing bully ball and it pays off in a big way.

Which rookie will have the biggest impact in week 1? (@KingEdward15 on Twitter)

The easy answer is Cade York because I think that this game will be close and come down to a kick to end it for either team. But a more in-depth answer is likely David Bell because this receiving room desperately needs someone outside of Amari Cooper to step up.

Fans have high expectations for Bell and after not seeing him much in the preseason I think he will have an impact this week. If he can do what he did a Purdue and understand the coverage and just get open and catch the ball they have a chance. It doesn’t have to be flashy or big plays just be consistent and move the chains.