12 players that Jim Schwartz has coached in the past the Browns could pursue

New Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has a history of working with players that he coached previously, so we look at 12 guys who fit the bill the team could add this offseason.

The Cleveland Browns have a brand new, veteran, defensive coordinator heading into the 2023 season. Jim Schwartz will be calling the defense as part of head coach Kevin Stefanski's staff for the Browns, after most recently seving as a "senior defensive assistant" for the Tennessee Titans the past two seasons.

Schwartz was last a defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-2020, which included winning a Super Bowl in 2017 on Doug Pederson's staff. Before that, he had a head coaching stint from 2009 to 2013 with the Detroit Lions, served as a defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills (2014) and Tennessee Titans (2001-2008), and was a personnel scout for the Browns from 1993-1995.

One trend that I have noticed with Schwartz, as is likely with most NFL coaches, is that he tends to coach some of the same players for multiple teams. Dating back to his first go-round as a defensive coordinator with Tennesee, Schwartz has taken some players with him from stop to stop.

From the Titans, Schwartz took Stephen Tulloch and Kyle Vanden Bosch to Detroit when he became a head coach, and even coached Tulloch again in Philadelphia. Schwartz coached Darius Slay when he came into the league in Detroit, and once again as an Eagle. From just his one year in Buffalo, he took a liking to Nigel Bradham, Leodis McKelvin and Nickell Robey-Coleman enough to get them to Philadelphia as well.

In this article, we will highlight 12 different players that Schwartz has coached at some point in his time in the NFL that the Cleveland Browns could potentially bring in to help on the defensive side of the ball.

1. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Lineman

This first player would not be the first option for the Browns, by any means. Ndamukong Suh is now 36 years old and played in just eight games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, after signing midway through the year to help shore up the run defense for the team's Super Bowl run.

While both have now been in Philly, it was just with the Lions that Suh and Schwartz worked together, and was where Suh broke onto the scene in Schwartz's defense as Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Pro in his first season in 2010. Suh four All-Pro teams and four Pro Bowls in Detroit under Schwartz, with many using Suh's level of play to show how Schwartz can elevate defensive tackles.

Schwartz has utilized many older, veteran defensive tackles in the past, so it truly isn't out of the question. There are certainly some options at the position that would seem more favorable to Browns fans, but the familiarity and the experience make it a possibility worth noting.

2. Javon Hargrave, Defensive Tackle

This option would certainly appease many more Cleveland fans, but it would undoubtedly be one of the highest-priced options on this entire list. Javon Hargrave has had a very solid seven-year career, starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016, but really seems to be coming into his prime as he potentially wraps up his time with the Philadelphia Eagles and heads to free agency.

Obviously, the Eagles could very well prioritize retaining "The Grave Digger", as he had a career year in 2022 with 11 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, both career highs. His size and versatility would allow him to play all three downs and be a force against both the run and pass, in a Jim Schwartz defense that he already has some familiarity with from when their paths crossed for a season in Philly in 2020.

Hargrave's market value is upwards of $20 million per year, according to Spotrac, striking while the iron is hot after his breakout season. Hargrave is now 30 years old, and the Browns won't have a ton of cap space to work with, but if the price is at least manageable, Hargrave could end up being the biggest addition of the offseason for Cleveland

3. Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle

You may begin to notice a trend here, as we detail another defensive lineman that worked with Schwartz in Philly. Fletcher Cox may be the happy medium between the two defensive tackles I have already mentioned with presumably a little more left in the tank than Suh, but at likely a much cheaper price than Hargrave.

Cox has been one of the most steady and reliable players and leaders for the Eagles over the last decade. Cox has racked up four All-Pro's and six Pro Bowls in his 11 seasons with the team to this point. The 32-year old has never left Philadelphia, but this many be the point in his career that the team decides to move on and actually let him hit free agency.

One of the most powerful players at the position, Cox can still dominate the line of scrimmage. He may be getting a little bit older but his strength and technique aren't going away anytime some, making him a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. He has also only missed about five games in 11 seasons. Cox is a leader on the field and in the locker room, and would be a great get by Schwartz and general manager Andrew Berry (who also has Eagles ties) if Philly lets him walk this offseason.

4. Brandon Graham, Defensive End

Pretty much everything that I just said about Fletcher Cox applies to Brandon Graham as well. He has been a leader on and off the field as a staple for the Eagles organization since he was drafted out of Michigan in 2010. Graham never lit up the stat sheet like some other notable defensive ends in his era, but he was very underrated and always found a way to affect the play, particularly when it mattered most.

Older than Cox, as Graham will be 35 when the season starts, some may question whether he still has what it takes to help a football team win at this point. I would say that his career-high 11 sacks in 2022 after coming back from an Achilles tear proves that he can.

Graham is exactly the type of player that the Browns need opposite of Myles Garrett. A savvy veteran that knows how to play the run and can get after the quarterback in a one-on-one situation. His veteran leadership would be much welcomed, too, and would thrive under Schwartz once again in Cleveland.

5. David Long, Linebacker

In addition to defensive line, The Cleveland Browns may also be in search of depth at the linebacker position. There are a few options out there with Jim Schwartz connections, but David Long may be the most intriguing to me.

Just 26 years old, Long had a career high 86 tackles with Schwartz's help in Tennessee last season. Hitting free agency after four years with the Titans, the former sixth-round pick may re-sign with the team that took a chance on him. There is a good shot that the team views him as a good young player to build around, but Tennessee does appear to be in a bit of a rebuild, so there is also a chance that they decide to move on.

In addition to his career high in tackles, Long also posted seven tackles for loss and three QB hits, proving his versatility around the line of scrimmage. With Schwartz as the official defensive coordinator instead of just an assistant, he could continue to unlock the potential of long in this new Browns defense.

6. Teair Tart, Defensive Tackle

Teair Tart is another young and upcoming player that worked under Schwartz the last two seasons. As a restricted free agent, it would be difficult to sign Tart away from the Titans if they want to keep him, but again, they are rebuilding and may not want to spend the money to match a larger contract if someone offers him one.

If Schwartz thinks Tart could be the centerpiece to his defensive line in Cleveland, he may convince Berry to make him an offer that Tennessee refuses to match. Tart will be just 26 years old when the season begins, and really came into his own last year, playing in 16 games and racking up 35 tackles, 5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks in 2022. He has the size and athleticism to fill multiple roles in Schwartz's defense and could be a nice, young piece for the Browns.

7. Zach Cunningham, Linebacker

As part of their cap-cutting already this offseason. The Titans released veteran linebacker, Zach Cunningham. After being claimed off waivers by Tennessee following his release from the Houston Texans, Cunningham played just 10 games for the Titans in the last two seasons under Schwartz.

Cunningham led the NFL in tackles (164) in 2020, so we aren't far removed from seeing him play at a high level. Maybe Schwartz saw some promise left in him and may want to bring him in and give him another try. I would rather the Browns bring back Reggie Ragland, Anthony Walker or Deion Jones if they want a more veteran MIKE linebacker, but Cunningham is not out of the question.

8. Denico Autry, Defensive Lineman

Yet another veteran option for what should be a new-look Browns defensive line could potentially be 32-year old Denico Autry. Autry is still under contract with the Titans, but he does carry a $9 million cap hit for a team heading towards a rebuild, so they may be open to moving on.

Whether they eventually decide to release him as well or possibly try to trade him, it wouldn't surprise me if they do decide to move in a different direction. Autry combined for 17 sacks in his two seasons with Schwartz's assistance, after stops with the Colts and the Raiders to begin his NFL career.

Autry can play defensive end on early downs and bump inside for pass rush situations, at 6-foot-5 and 285 lbs. He can offer the knowledge and leadership of a veteran, but still produce at a high level. He may cost the Browns something via trade or a chunk of change if they sign him, but he could perform very well under Schwartz.

9. Alex Singleton, Linebacker

Alex Singleton broke onto the scene under Jim Schwartz in 2020 with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the team in tackles with 120. He followed that up with a 137 tackle season in 2021, leading to the Denver Broncos signing him away on a one-year deal for 2022. After posting a career high 163 tackles with Denver, Singleton is set to hit free agency once again.

Singleton did take a while to break onto an NFL field, so he is already 29 years old with just four years of NFL experience. However, he seems to be in his prime right now, and the Browns could sign him to another short-term deal and have a tackling machine in the middle of their defense next to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

10. Rodney McLeod, Safety

Many of Jim Schwartz's defenses throughout his time coaching in the NFL have featured a safety that is near or at the top of the team in tackles. In their time in Philadelphia, that was typically Rodney McLeod's running mate, Malcolm Jenkins. However, McLeod (now in Indianapolis) just posted 96 tackles in 2022.

If Schwartz is looking for a cheaper, veteran option to fill that role in his Cleveland defense, he may look to McLeod. John Johnson III has been highly scrutinized by Browns fans since his signing in 2021. I think a lot of that hate is mostly unwarranted, and that he still can be a very solid player for the Browns moving forward, but he does currently come with a cap hit of $13.5 million for 2023.

McLeod's estimated market value is just $1.7 million, so the 32-year old would be a bargain if the Browns are unable to restructure Johnson's contract to lower that cap hit. Cleveland will likely look to add another young safety either way, but adding a veteran like McLeod could help right away in 2023.

11. Kamu Grugier-Hill, Linebacker

Kamu Grugier-Hill seems like the type of player that coaches would love. He played under Schwartz in Philadelphia, but primarily as a special teams player, and then went on to racking up 108 tackles for Houston in 2021 after a short stop in Miami.

The 28-year old, Grugier-Hill, is set to hit free agency, after the Arizona Cardinals claimed him partway through last season following his release from Houston. He did not do much in 2022, but if Schwartz still thinks he can contribute, that lack of production could just make him more affordable for Cleveland.

12. Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, may seem like a far-fetched get for the Browns this offseason, but he did play under Jim Schwartz in Buffalo in 2014. Gilmore has certainly seen better days as a player, so maybe an Indianapolis Colts team that is looking to get younger will want to avoid his nearly $12 million cap hit for 2023.

Gilmore signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Colts last offseason, but they do have an out where they eat just $2 million in dead cap if they decide to release him. I wouldn't necessarily expect them to do so, but you never know.

The Browns apparently already have too many boundary corners and no true slot corner, and Gilmore would likely just add to that conundrum. But if Cleveland is able to bring in someone like Gilmore at corner, they could potentially move one of their younger pieces for help at another position. Gilmore may not be the best option, but he does have the connection with Schwartz and could be a potential option for the Browns if available this offseason.