3 defensive players who may breakout for the Cleveland Browns in 2022

The Cleveland Browns may need these three defensive players to step up in 2022.

The defense of the Cleveland Browns has a lot of hype around it, but it isn’t some amazing unit just yet. Before we compare them to the 2000 Ravens, the Cover-2 Buccaneers, or the Legion of Boom, the team needs to round out their starting rotation.

You have obvious stars like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, great secondary players like Jadeveon Clowney and Anthony Walker, and then you have young cats like Greg Newsome and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who are on the verge of ascending to near-Pro Bowl status.

Yet, they’re not the only ones. We’re looking at three players who may benefit from the talent around them and could finally put it all together to have a major year in 2022.

Three defensive players the Cleveland Browns could see breakout in 2022

Chase Winovich

If given enough snaps, Chase Winovich has shown to be able to get 5+ sacks per season. If he’s playing with Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett, the Browns could see Winovich leap to nine or more. That is assuming Clowney doesn’t regress as he ages. With both Clowney and Garrett able to lineup inside during passing downs, Winovich could logically see time on the field alongside the other two pass-rushing ends. If that’s the case, he could benefit the most.

Greedy Williams

The Browns have seemingly made Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome the new hot couple of the cornerbacks, leaving Greedy Williams on an island all his own. Williams is likely the second-best corner on the team, but he’ll probably play nickel with Newsome seemingly getting the nod as the second starter. If he’s matched up against the third wideouts, he may be able to put together one heck of a contract year and be in line to get paid heading into free agency.

Grant Delpit

It’s gotta feel unfair for Grant Delpit, who was supposed to be the star of the secondary when he was drafted to play alongside Ward. Yet, an injury ruined that hype and now Delpit is just trying to prove he can start. If he’s ever going to bounce back, it’ll be in 2022, and I have a feeling Delpit could prove his worth.