1. Za’Darius Smith
The Browns were relying on Myles Garrett a ton, giving him basically no pass-rushing help over the last few years. Clowney was a good run defender opposite of Garrett but not enough of a pass-rushing threat to at least pull a little attention away from Myles. That changes with the addition of Smith, who currently is at least a top-15 edge rusher in the NFL and unquestionably the best number two option on any team. He produced 78 pressures (more than Myles Garrett had!) and recorded 10 sacks in 2022, where he played opposite of Danielle Hunter in Minnesota. Both Garrett and Smith were among the 5 edge rushers with the highest double team rate, as you can see in the graphic below. While Garrett was one of the most double-teamed pass rushers, he still had the third-highest pass rush win rate, which proves that teams will be forced to shift a significant amount of attention towards him. This, coupled with the addition of some space-eating defensive tackles who will also draw double teams, will create a lot of one-on-one opportunities for Smith to put pressure on the quarterback. Opposing teams really have to pick their poison against the Browns.
One noteworthy aspect about Smith is his weaker run defense. It’s not that he wouldn’t be capable, but he only plays well against the run if he wants to do so. Nevertheless, the addition of Smith, especially considering that the Browns only had to give up a fifth-round pick for him, will cause headaches for opponents and makes this group borderline unstoppable.
2. Dalvin Tomlinson
Under Joe Woods this team wasn’t really emphasizing the defensive tackle position. However, with the arrival of Jim Schwartz, the Browns overhauled their entire interior group, headlined by the addition of Tomlinson. At 6’3″ and 325 lbs., he serves as a space-eater in the middle, a presence sorely missed by the Browns in previous seasons. While pass-rushing won’t be his primary role, Tomlinson showed some progression in his rush, generating 20-30 pressures in each of the past three seasons, which makes him an even bigger threat for opposing quarterbacks. The main reason for Tomlinson’s acquisition, is his ability to create for his teammates. As previously mentioned, many players on this defensive line draw double teams, including Tomlinson. While he won’t be dominating those double teams, there are very few interior offensive lineman who can handle Tomlinson one-on-one. Additionally, Tomlinson will drastically improve the team’s run defense with his size and ability to clog up rushing lanes. While Tomlinson’s stat line may not be jaw-dropping, his contribution to his teammates’ production and willingness to take on a lot of the dirty work inside will be invaluable.
3. Elijah Moore
Moore was an early second-round pick who was never really able to establish himself on the Jets and could really benefit from a change of scenery. He adds another dimension to this offense that the Browns were searching for in players like Demetric Felton or Jakeem Grant. His speed and shiftiness will be invaluable and make him a potentially electric playmaker for Deshaun Watson. Although he has a relatively small frame, his impressive route running and secure hands make him a valuable target in the passing game. Additionally, he is a versatile weapon for trick plays, where you can line him up in the backfield or get the ball into his hands on jet sweeps. While he may be the acquisition that generated the most hype among fans, he’s the least proven player on this list. Nevertheless, he is also the one with the highest upside, and if he realizes his potential, he could become a difference maker on this offense.
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