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3 defensive tackles the Cleveland Browns could sign to complete the defensive line

By Chad Porto

Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) and defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) and defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Akiem Hicks

The Cleveland Browns like size at the defensive tackle position, and right now Akiem Hicks is the best option from the Top 100 list for that. He’s huge and rivals Siaki Ika. While Ika is over 350 lbs, Hicks is a bit off, at just 324 pounds, but still, that’s a sizeable increase over the crop the Browns have had over the last few years.

But is he worth a spot on the team?

Well, during his prime, Hicks was a Pro Bowl-caliber player with a great ability to get after the quarterback from inside, and that was highly useful. Now, however, at 34, he’s not the same athlete he was. In 11 games with Tampa Bay, all of which were starts, he only mustered one sack.

But what about his ability to stop the run? He did fine there, at least according to PFF. The advanced metrics site gave him a score of 65.7, which is respectable.

And truthfully, looking at his work over the last few years, he’s been a good player until this past year. At least according to PFF. Now you could gamble on him, and see if he’s going to return to form and it’s possible he does. But at 34, and with his best years probably behind him, he’s not a guy you invest money in at this point. At least barring injury.

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