Cleveland Browns: Which Browns players could switch to a 3-4 defense?

Those who can’t

This should be more of the “those who might not” because who knows, but it doesn’t fit the gimmick of the page-turner. The two starters in the front seven who might not adapt to the scheme changes are Sheldon Richardson and Mack Wilson.

Richardson has played all over the field in a 3-4 during his time with the New York Jets, but during his tenure, he played in a perennial bad 3-4 defense. He isn’t exactly someone you’d say is a game changer 3-4 player, despite the fact he had a singular Pro Bowl season with that squad. Richardson would be tasked to either play an end or the nose tackle position and neither suits him. He’s not a good enough pass rusher to get the depth needed at end, and he’s not big enough to fill double-gap duties as a nose tackle. As he played some linebacker for the Jets during his tenure and didn’t do so efficiently, it’s hard to imagine he can adjust to such a difficult scheme. He’s a much better conventional 4-3 tackle.

As for Wilson, as he’s not known as a pass rusher, him playing outside would be a bit problematic. Wilson could potentially play inside if either Schobert or Kirksey gets cut, but as an outside player, he’s not going to be an impactful enough player to make a difference. He’s good enough in coverage and despite the fact he can bring someone down at the point of contact, an outside backer in a 3-4 has to pass rush better than Wilson shows the propensity for.