Jadeveon Clowney Could Thrive in Shifted Role with Browns
By Peter Dewey
The Cleveland Browns made a major move this offseason, bringing in veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite Myles Garrett on their defensive line.
While the plan had been to put the two players on the edge of the defensive line, Clowney revealed that he and Garrett think they can work well together with one of them playing on the inside against less athletic offensive guards.
“We feel like they’re the unathletic guys. That guard position, they’re not real athletes down there,” Clowney said. “So they’re just physical and maulers. But we try to get in there and create those matchups for certain guys and hopefully we get some wins.
“You’ve got to think different [on the interior]. Everything happens very, very fast down there. Those guys are much bigger down there. So, yes, your whole mindset has got to change in how you attack the quarterback, how you attack the guys down there.”
Clowney also said he and Garrett would “love” the matchup inside, which could signal a different package that the Browns try to run on defense this season.
After missing half of the 2020 season with a torn meniscus, Clowney is trying to revitalize his career playing with another No. 1 overall pick in Garrett.
The Browns are expected to be one of the AFC’s better teams in 2021 with +700 odds at WynnBET to win the conference. Cleveland is tied with Baltimore in those odds, but are second behind the Ravens in the AFC North division odds at +140.
Clowney has recorded 32.0 sacks in 83 career games but health has been an issue the past few seasons. The No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft has played in all 16 games just one time in his career, and he's recorded just 3.0 sacks over the past two seasons.
Playing with a dominant pass rusher like Garrett, however, may allow Clowney to see more one-on-one matchups and go against offensive guards like he wants. After calling them out for being unathletic, considering his injury history, Clowney better produce if and when he’s rushing inside this season.
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