Defensive tackle play was arguably the biggest issue holding back the entire Browns defense in 2022. Especially against the run, this group proved to be a liability. However, Andrew Berry and Jim Schwartz completely overhauled this unit in the offseason, bringing in a lot of size in the trenches. With two new starters and Jim Schwartz as the defensive coordinator, this group will not only play better as a whole but also elevate the play around them. I am really excited to finally see the defensive tackles in action, so let’s dive right in!
1. Dalvin Tomlinson
Tomlinson is one of the two 320+ lbs defensive tackles the Browns brought in during the offseason. He is a stout player with great strength and long arms for his frame. In the run game, he can hold up against double teams and shed blocks very well to get to the ball carrier. For his size, he is a surprisingly good pass rusher with active hands and a decent arsenal of pass-rushing moves, as well as a nice bull rush, to get to the quarterback. In Minnesota, he even lined up over or outside of the offensive tackle occasionally in their 3-4 front. He can hold up against double teams, but won’t consistently split them, which is why his box score may not be eye-popping, but his presence on the line will elevate everyone around him. Tomlinson will line up as the starting nose tackle and may get some snaps at 3- or 5-technique to draw double teams and create messy pockets or clog up rushing lanes.
2. Shelby Harris
Despite Harris not being signed until late in the offseason, his addition was a significant one. He possesses a great combination of explosiveness and power that makes it a tough ask for any interior offensive lineman to block him one-on-one. He has strong arms to shed blocks or rip through opponents. Standing at 6’3″ and 300 lbs, he is quick and a natural mover with great burst off the line, which he can pretty consistently convert into power. Although Harris might not be an elite threat from the interior, his skillset makes him a very well-rounded player that you could comfortably keep on the field on every down. He will benefit from the unit around him, as he probably will receive the least attention among the four starters. This says a lot about the defensive line and will create a opportunities for Harris to succeed. Both Tomlinson and Harris are significantly better than any defensive tackle this Browns team played last season.
3. Jordan Elliott
Jordan Elliot was a third-round pick by the Browns in 2020 and has received a lot of opportunities over the years, despite being consistently one of the worst starting defensive tackles and showing a lack of improvement. He flashes some physical traits, such as his quickness off the line and ability to convert speed to power that suggest he could be a decent defensive tackle in the NFL, but those flashes are way too inconsistent. Especially in the run game, his performance was lackluster, as you would see him just throwing his body around without much of a plan most of the time. He struggles to gain leverage against offensive linemen and gets pushed back regularly. There could be a scenario where he becomes a productive backup as a rusher on later downs, but I am not too optimistic in that regard. Overall, I am glad that he is a backup and not a starter anymore, giving him the chance to find a role on this vastly improved defensive line.
4. Siaki Ika
Size was the motto on the defensive line this offseason, and Ika is the embodiment of that. He is a thick and heavy player in the mold of a nose tackle. His size makes it tough for offensive linemen to move him in the run game, and he can hold up against double teams but won’t be dominant against them. For his size, he shows some decent quickness, and given the comments of Jim Schwartz, I believe the plan is for him to lose some weight and tap into that athleticism a little more. Right now, he is not much of a technician, but if he can get his body in motion, it is hard to stop for offensive lines, and he will create some dents in the pocket or cut off rushing lanes. Ika is currently limited in his role as a nose tackle since he will probably be exclusively on the field in running situations when Tomlinson needs a breather or in goal-line packages. However, Schwartz likes to rotate his defensive line in whole units during games, so Ika will probably still get anywhere between 200-300 snaps this season.
5. Maurice Hurst
Hurst is more of a rushing specialist who possesses great technique and an arsenal of pass-rushing moves. His hands are very active, and he’s aware of what is happening around him, allowing him to adapt mid-play. He’s not the most explosive player and doesn’t pose a significant threat with power, which limits his upside as a rusher. His contribution in the run game will be limited due to his lighter build, and he will primarily come onto the field in clear passing situations. Thanks to his technical soundness, I’ve given him the edge over Hill, who is the next player on this list.
6. Trysten Hill
Similar to Hurst, Hill is more of a pass rusher than a run defender. However, Hill is a more naturally gifted athlete with less refined technique. He’s listed at 6’3″ and 310 lbs but still looks very explosive getting off the ball. Yet, his contribution in the run game is equally as poor as Hurst’s. He injured his hand during training camp, limiting his ability to showcase his skills in preseason. However, if he shows some progression, I believe it could be possible for him to challenge Hurst for a roster spot.
7. Tommy Togiai
The biggest thing Togiai has going for him is his strength. However, he has struggled to consistently translate said strength to the field. He hasn’t proven to be a reliable run defender or pass rusher and despite being a 4th round pick only two years ago, I don’t really see a clear path for him to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Defensive Tackles on the 53-man roster (prediction):
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- Shelby Harris
- Jordan Elliott
- Siaki Ika
- Maurice Hurst
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