Cleveland Browns: Review Pt. 3 Defense, ST, and More

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Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Xavier Cooper (96) sacs Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line’s Key Backups

John Hughes III

John Huges III is another large body, and another run stuffer with the potential to collapse the pocket and put pressure on opposing QBs. As the backup to Starks, Hughes gives the Browns a player with similar traits.

While he doesn’t rush the QB as well, Hughes is strong in the run game, and when Starks or Dez Bryant need a spell, O’Neill will look to get Hughes in there.

A former third round pick that some considered a reach four years ago, Hughes has proven himself to be a player worthy of the risk Cleveland and former GM Tom Heckert took on him. He had a solid preseason and will look to continue proving his doubters wrong going into 2015.

Sep 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA;Cleveland Browns defensive tackle John Hughes (93) against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Cooper

In looking to add youth to the defensive line, Farmer drafted Xavier Cooper in the third round of this year’s draft. While I for one was surprised they would take another defensive lineman so high in the draft after Shelton, Cooper is the opposite kind of player from Shelton. He’s more of a pass rushing DT who tallied 23 tackles for loss during his 25 starts over two years.

While Shelton may be more of a brute, Cooper is fleet-footed, good with his hands, and has better lateral quickness. That said, the two players will take on two different roles. Shelton will be starting and manning the middle of the defensive line.

At this point Cooper will be backing up Desmond Bryant and Starks, but it’ll be interesting to see how he’s used in this defense. During the preseason he flashed his ability to get to the quarterback and made an impression on the coaching staff. Look for him to get more playing time as the season goes on.

Jamie Meder

Last but not least, Jamie Meder is an undrafted free agent out of Ashland College. Not much was expected from Meder going into camp, nor were there expectations going forward into the preseason games. However Meder did one thing and did it well. He made plays. It didn’t matter that it was against the second, third, or even fourth string defenses, it just seemed like Meder was always there making a play.

In fact, Meder played so well during the preseason that the Browns cut former first round pick NT Phil Taylor. That shows you the impact he has had on tape in the minds of the coaching staff. The thing to watch from Meder going forward will be to see how long his motor can keep him going.

If he continues to do nothing but make plays that find his name being spoken from the mouths of announcers, Meder might be the best diamond in the rough Farmer brought in this year.