Browns finish turning weakness into a strength with latest roster move

In case you haven’t heard, the Cleveland Browns has retooled their defensive line. Just how good could this front four be this upcoming season?

When one player has nearly half of a team’s sacks in one season, it’s safe to say that there’s room for improvement. When a defense gives up the eighth-most rushing yards per game in the NFL, there figures to be some changes.

The Cleveland Browns have a phenomenal performer in defensive end Myles Garrett. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has totaled an impressive 74.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 84 regular-season outings. The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has had his issues but he has certainly lived up to billing.

Berry good offseason for the Browns

This past season, the Browns finished with a disappointing 34 sacks and Garrett finished with 16 of those quarterback traps. This offseason, general manager Andrew Berry signed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson away from the Vikings. He also swung a deal with Minnesota for three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith.

The latest addition is defensive tackle Shelby Harris. He inked a one-year deal (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). He’s totaled a combined 24.5 sacks, knocked down 29 passes, forced three fumbles and picked off a pass in eight seasons with the Raiders, Broncos and Seahawks.

Now take a look at Berry’s handiwork, The grades are via the fine folks at Pro Football Focus (and courtesy of Mike Lucas of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show).

The three newcomers combined with Garrett add up to quite the renovation job for a unit (now under the guidance of new coordinator Jim Schwartz) that needed to make some serious changes on the defensive front.

The real bonus here is Harris, who is ranked fifth by PFF amongst interior defenders (78.5 grade) when it comes to stopping the run (78.5). The only players ranked ahead of him in this department are the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence (81.2), Kansas City’s Chris Jones (80.7), Carolina’s Derrick Brown (80.6) and Miami’s Christian Wilkins (78.9). Keep in mind that the Browns allowed a disappointing 135.2 yards per game rushing this past season.

Kevin Stefanski’s team could indeed wind up making some noise in the AFC North this season, especially if this projected front four lives up to those lofty rankings.