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The Cleveland Browns can remake their future with two stellar back to back picks

By Chad Porto

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Linebacker Nick Herbig of Wisconsin participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Linebacker Nick Herbig of Wisconsin participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns could remake their entire defense in the third round with these two picks.

The Cleveland Browns need guys who can bolster their defensive line and the two best options available to them may fall right into their laps. While there are better prospects earlier in the draft, and better-valued players ahead of these two men, the fact is the Browns need to take what they can get. And they may get some gems if they’re able to land both Andre Carter II out of Army and Nick Herbig out of Wisconsin.

Both Carter and Herbig are seen as “edge rushers”, a stupid term, but Carter is more of a natural defensive end, while Herbig has the ability to play linebacker, and end, much like Chase Winovich could.

If the Browns could somehow land both men, they’ll remake their defense over even more so, especially considering the duel-abilities of both men.

How two rookies can improve the Cleveland Browns’ defense

Both Carter and Herbig provide important skill sets for the Browns to utilize. They’re both consistent performers, with the ability to stop the run and get after the quarterback. PFF gave Carter scores of 77.3 in 2022,  83.3 in 2021, and 72.8 in 2020. Three strong showings in a row, on a team that isn’t used to having stand-out players.

Then you have Herbig. He had scores of  87.4 in 2022, and 83.6 in 2021, with his only down year in 2020 being a score of 64.1. With Herbig running a 4.65 40-time, he can clearly play linebacker for the Browns, and Carter at 6’7, would be a huge asset for anyone trying to throw opposite of Myles Garrett.

Putting them on the field at the same time would be a possible nightmare situation for offenses. Then if you consider moving Carter inside, and using Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the edge next to Carter, with Delvin Tomlinson and Myles Garrett opposite of them, and Herbig lined up for a blitz, you could have an avalanche of pressure for opposing quarterbacks to worry about.

It’d be the most dangerous pass-rushing team the Browns may ever have had since 1999, and it would give Garrett all the help he needs.

Next. WalterFootball’s first 2023 NFL Mock draft for the Cleveland Browns. dark

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