The Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL will have eyes on the NFL combine this week and here are three defensive line prospects for the team to consider
The NFL Combine is this week and the Cleveland Browns will be studying and analyzing every detail in putting together their draft board. There will be over 300 of the very best collegiate prospects participating in the various activities. There will be those surprises that everyone will be talking about this week so buckle up and enjoy the overanalyzing.
For the Browns, there are several areas that are more pressing in needing to get fixed going into the 2023 season. One of those areas is on the defensive side of the ball, particularly the defensive line. Let's take a look at three linemen that could be on their radar as we move through the combine this week.
3 Defensive linemen Browns should monitor at the Combine
No. 3: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Felix Anudike-Uzomah is considered to be one of the better edge rushers in this year's draft. Most projections have the Kansas State product going anywhere from the end of the first round through the second round. The Browns have an early second-round pick, so Uzomah could be in play come draft weekend.
Cleveland will likely need to fill the void left by veteran Jadeveon Clowney, who will be moving on in free agency. The Browns drafted a couple of defensive ends a year ago, including Alex Wright, but adding a powerful player like Anudike-Uzomah could be what they need to round out the edge position.
The K-State product is an imposing 6-foot-4, 260-pound athlete with power and speed at the position and has a motor that never stops. In the last two seasons in Manhatten Kansas, he helped the Wildcats tremendously. He recorded 96 tackles and 25. 5 of them for losses. He also tallied 19. 5 sacks in this time frame.
An example of his ability to take over in games was on display this past season against Texas Tech where he recorded six tackles and had three sacks and forced a fumble to boot.
No. 2 Defensive Lineman: Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
The Iowa State product, Will McDonald IV may be a bit older than what the Browns have drafted in the past but he has a lot of upside that may be too good to pass on.
He had 125 tackles, 40.5 for a loss, and 34 sacks over his career as a Cyclone. He also forced 10 fumbles, including five in his junior campaign. An example of his dominance in games was seen in his junior campaign when he had four tackles, two for losses, two sacks and two forced fumbles in an away game win against Kansas State.
The age factor for McDonald has created some conversation amongst Browns fans because the current regime led by general manager Andrew Berry has a history of not selecting players over the age of 22 and McDonald is 23 years old. While I understand that move by the Browns, this draft is more unique than others, because many college players took advantage of the extra Covid season and played an additional campaign. So, while Cleveland may stick to that idea on age, this is a unique draft.
McDonald had a solid career in college and while age is a factor, one can't pass on experience either and the Browns would be wise to consider drafting McDonald, who's a projected second or third-round pick.
No. 1: TuliTuipulotu, USC
Tuli Tuipulotu from USC has been known to line up all over the defensive line. He has been used as an edge rusher but can shift to the inside and play against the bigger offensive lineman with his 6-foot-4 and 290-pound frame.
He was the winner of the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award this season after recording 13.5 sacks and collecting 22 tackles for a loss. He also had three pass deflections and forced two fumbles for the Trojans.
His versatility in a new Cleveland Browns defense under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz seems like a match made in heaven. To be able to use Tuipulota in a variety of spots along the line good be an attractive bonus if the team were to draft him. He's projected to be drafted anywhere from the late first round through the second to the third round.
In addition to the prospects we've reviewed, there are several other very talented defensive linemen to consider at the combine this week as well. That includes Zach Pickens of South Carolina, Isaiah McGuire of Missouri, Zach Harrison of Ohio State, and Keeanu Benton of Wisconsin, who has been a favorite for many who are studying prospects that would fit in Cleveland.