Ranking and grading every defensive linemen on the Cleveland Browns ahead of training camp

Positional Grade and Evaluation

All in all, the defensive line is a largely unknown commodity. If Taven Bryan, Chase Winovich, Perrion Winfrey, and Alex Wright all produce like fans hope they can, and if Tommy Togiai can make a massive leap in production, this could be a very exciting, very talented front four.

If the status quo is the status quo, however, this team is screwed. The interior guys aren’t known to be great against the run, and Jadeveon Clowney has a history of inconsistent play. He had 6 sacks in three games last year, and then three sacks in 10 games. That’s not even factoring in his season-to-season inconsistencies.

Clowney may very well fall off this season too. He’s 29 with a history of injuries. Don’t be surprised if that happens.

Myles Garrett is great, but he can’t do it all on his own and he’ll end up sitting a lot during games because of how much he’s relied upon. Outside of him, you have no real reliable playmaker on the front-four that you can turn to if Garrett needs a breather, so you’re just hoping someone, anyone can step up and make some noise.

The second-best run stuffer on the edge from 2021, Porter Gustin, is in Miami now, and with himg goes some reliable depth. The Browns may need another body if people can’t do their job and I’d recommend Carl Nassib if things get that bad during camp and preseason.

The defensive tackles are bad, I’d give them a D+ on their own, but the ends are solid, with some nice depth, assuming injuries aren’t a factor. I’d give them a B. Yet, like the offensive line, the defensive line is measured as a unit and as a unit; yikes.

Defensive Line: C+