Top 3 areas the Cleveland Browns must improve this offseason
By Greg Newland
No. 1 – Browns Defensive Line
The Cleveland Browns issues stopping the run became even bigger when Jadeveon Clowney all but forced his way out of Cleveland. Obviously, something bigger happened behind closed doors, but it’s now another huge hole that needs to be fixed.
Myles Garrett continues to play at an elite level, but unfortunately, he can’t do it all by himself. Alex Wright showed some promise at defense end and Chase Winovich also played well at times. But the glaring hole continues to be at defensive tackle. I wouldn’t mind seeing Taven Bryant back again, but he needs to be paired with a massive three-technique tackle who can clog up some gaps.
Berry will also have put a top priority on finding a veteran pass rusher. With Wright and Winovich capable as the third and fourth guys, look for him to find a guy passed his prime that still has a little gas in the tank.
Hopefully, with a few moves in free agency, the league will once again see the Browns as contenders, but after three extremely disappointing seasons, players aren’t going to be lining up to play for the Browns at a discount.
Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the Browns aren’t going to be able to spend a ton of money on a long-term basis to replace Clowney. They’ll do a ton of restructuring to open money for the 2023 season, but long term the team continues to have a lot of dead money tied up in void years.
If I have to watch to Browns be the worst run defense in the league for another year, I might finally be forced to hang up my cap.
