4 unknowns heading into the Cleveland Browns 2023 season
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns unknown No. 2 – Who will help with the pass rush?
As much as I have criticized Myles Garrett for not being the Defensive Player of the Year type player he thinks he is, part of the reason he’s not always jumping off the tape is that he has very little help. And while Jadeveon Clowney provided a secondary rush option in 2021, he really struggled in 2022. And after comments made to the media at the end of the season, don’t expect him to be back.
As good as Garrett is, he needs some help to be effective, if you look at all the great pass rushers in the league, you’ll see they all have help or at least a fantastic scheme to help get them one-on-one opportunities.
Right now, the roster looks like Garrett and second-year player, Alex Wright (assuming Chase Winovich isn’t re-signed). Wright showed a lot of potential as a rookie, but to say he is ready to be a No. 2 defensive end in the NFL would be a major stretch.
While I question if Berry will try to fix the offensive line or depth issue at wide receiver in free agency, I do think this is a spot where he will spend some money. It’s just unfortunate that the Clowney deal has void years that will keep him on the payroll for the next two seasons.
Garrett doesn’t need a 15-sack-a-year guy alongside him, but he does need someone who is a constant threat so the opposing offense can’t just focus on him. Taking a guy in the draft with the potential to not work out is too much of a risk in this situation.