After assessing potential wide receiver additions, I want to continue by providing an outlook for the Browns’ defensive tackle situation in 2024. With several key contributors from last season leaving in free agency, there are numerous needs to address. Currently, only two players are under contract, signaling for the Browns to be active in both free agency and the draft. Here are my candidates the Browns’ should consider adding to their defensive tackle room in 2024!
Who is Leaving?
These are the defensive tackles that are set to become free agents in the offseason (name (defensive snaps)):
- Jordan Elliott (444)
- Shelby Harris (442)
- Maurice Hurst (304)
These players represent a significant portion of snaps (62%) and sack production (65%) among Browns’ defensive tackles in 2023. Currently, only Dalvin Tomlinson and Siaki Ika are under contract, both signed through the 2026 season. Furthermore, the Browns brought in Jayden Peevy and Chris Williams on future/reserve contracts. Given the need for both starting and heavy rotational players, it’s likely the Browns will actively pursue several options in free agency. While one or two of the Browns’ pending free agents may return to Cleveland, there are numerous alternatives available. Drawing from past offseasons, it will likely be a combination of veteran signings on short term deals and draft picks for the Browns to address the void at defensive tackle in 2024.
Cleveland addressed a long-standing need in their interior group last season by signing Dalvin Tomlinson to a four-year deal. He remains the cornerstone of this unit, though the rotation behind him is still uncertain. Siaki Ika shares similarities with Tomlinson in terms of role and size but didn’t make significant contributions last season. He spent the entire year on the active roster but only played in five games due to Maurice Hurst’s injury. Given Jim Schwartz’s tendency to rotate his defensive linemen a lot, I’d expect to see somewhat of a 4 player rotation again this season. Tomlinson will be starting, while Ika probably takes on a smaller rotational role, leaving two or three spots on the roster open. Here are my free agent targets and draft prospects to fill these defensive tackle vacancies for the Browns in 2024!
Free Agent Targets
1. Sheldon Rankins (Houston Texans)
Rankins would complement Dalvin Tomlinson, who’s more of a nose tackle, exceptionally well as a 3-tech and pass rush specialist. He possesses notable explosiveness and great lateral movement, with hands and feet that never stop working. Armed with a diverse array of pass-rushing moves, he can win in various different ways and seamlessly transition to secondary moves when necessary. Rankins demonstrates nuanced hand placement and flashes the ability to convert speed to power if he gets some runway. While he doesn’t excel as a run defender, he can shoot gaps and blow up plays in the backfield from time to time. Due to his average arm length, he gets locked up by opponents occasionally, particularly when facing offensive tackles. Furthermore, his performance is somewhat streaky, as he’s capable to dominate one week and completely disappear the next one.
In Cleveland, Sheldon Rankins would reunite with his defensive line coach from last season, Jacques Cesaire. Rankins turns 30 years old in April, which suggests he may seek for a final sizable, longer-term contract. I’d anticipate his salary to be in the range of $7-8 million. However, a 2-3 year deal would allow the Browns to spread out this cap hit and add some void years. Historically, this front office hasn’t emphasized the defensive tackle position, often filling needs with veterans on one-year deals. Additionally, the Browns’ top 4 defensive tackles had their playing time somewhat evenly distributed under Schwartz, so this approach might be a bit too top-heavy for them. Moreover, the Browns highly value run defense at this position, which is not a strength of Rankins. Nevertheless, he would add a dimension to the Browns’ defensive tackle room in 2024 that Cleveland lacked in recent years.
2. DaQuan Jones (Buffalo Bills)
Jones, listed at 6’4” and 320 lbs., showcases surprising explosiveness and agility for that size. He can get after the quarterback with strong arms and an arsenal of pass-rushing moves, including a mean swim move and a cross chop. Combined with his remarkable strength and bull rush, he becomes a player that few interior linemen want to face one-on-one. Demonstrating good leverage and exceptional timing off the snap, he gets himself into good position consistently. Despite being 32 years old, he played the best football of his career over the last two seasons. However, he isn’t the surest tackler and struggles to transition into a secondary move when his initial pass rush stalls. Upon his return from a torn pectoral muscle late in 2023, he struggled to get back to previous form. Especially in the divisional round against the Chiefs, he got dominated in a lot of one-on-one situations.
Despite his size profile, DaQuan Jones isn’t just a nose tackle and there’s no down and distance where he can’t stay on the field. While he hasn’t shown signs of regression yet that might change, which is why increased rotation could benefit him. The Bills have several pending free agents on the defensive line themselves, making re-signing Jones a viable option. However, Ed Oliver and Von Miller are already signed to expensive deals and Buffalo has another one coming up for Greg Rousseau, who’s entering a contract year. I’d expect the Bills to prioritize Rousseau over Jones, making the draft a more likely option to add defensive tackle help. While I also considered Shelby Harris here, Jones could be an upgrade over him at a similar price point. Given his limited playing time last season, I’d expect his compensation to be around $6 million on a one-year contract.
3. Maurice Hurst (Cleveland Browns)
Hurst played in Cleveland on a one-year deal in 2023, but unfortunately his season came to an end in week 14 due to a torn bicep. Despite being undersized, he compensates with explosiveness and quick feet and hands that are always active. His exceptional athleticism was on full display against the Seahawks, where he dropped into coverage and tipped a pass to himself for an interception. While he can be effective against the run by beating offensive linemen to the spot, he struggles to be consistent on a snap to snap basis. Because Hurst is undersized, he often gets overpowered by offensive linemen when they get their hands on him. Additionally, Hurst tends to be a little jumpy on the line of scrimmage, resulting in occasional offsides. Nevertheless, in his role as a matchup-dependent pass rush specialist, Hurst could be a valuable asset for this team once again.
The biggest concern with Hurst is his susceptibility to injuries, as he only appeared in 26 games over the past four seasons. Despite him playing really good football in Cleveland, it’s unlikely that many teams will offer him big contracts this offseason. The injury history also makes it tough to bet on him as a long-term solution for the Browns. However, bringing him back on a cheap 1-2 year contract would be a great low-risk move. His previous contracts never exceeded the veteran minimum by much and I wouldn’t expect a substantial raise for him this time. A salary in the range of $1-3 million should be enough to keep him in Cleveland. Among the three pending defensive tackle free agents for the Browns, Hurst appears to be the most likely candidate to re-sign with the team in 2024.
Honorable Mentions
Jordan Elliott (Cleveland Browns)
Under Jim Schwartz, Elliott enjoyed somewhat of a career resurgence, showcasing his effectiveness as a run defender. His eyes are always locked on the ball carrier, enabling him to make plays even while engaged in blocks. A powerful lower body allows him to anchor down in the run game, but he struggles to get his hands in the opponents’ chest to drive them backwards. However, his performance in pass rushing situations paints a different picture. Elliott struggles to consistently win in one-on-one matchups, lacking arm length, explosiveness and refined pass rushing technique to challenge opposing offensive linemen. While he may occasionally stumble into sacks, they’re mostly clean-up sacks or blown protections. It’s possible that he’ll be available cheaply, but the Browns may consider seeking an upgrade at the starting defensive tackle position in 2024. Nevertheless, retaining him as a consistent early-down run defender isn’t the worst idea either.
Javon Kinlaw (San Francisco 49ers)
As the 14th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Kinlaw fell short of expectations during his time in San Francisco. However, he’s coming off his most efficient season yet, recording 3.5 sacks in a rotational capacity. At 6’5″ and 319 lbs., Kinlaw possesses a big frame, but still demonstrates some explosiveness off the line. His long arms and powerful lower body enable a deadly bull rush and prevent getting moved easily by double teams. Beyond his impressive bull rush, there’s not a lot he can threaten opponents with, as his lateral movement and balance are subpar. Additionally, he isn’t a great run defender which limited his playing time and impact in San Francisco. A change of scenery might benefit Kinlaw, particularly in a blitz-heavier scheme like Cleveland’s, where his ability to collapse the pocket could serve as a solid foundation to build upon.
Draft Targets
1. Leonard Taylor III (Miami)
Taylor, who will turn 22 years old in May, declared as a true junior after appearing in 28 games in college. While he remains a raw prospect, he already possesses ideal size and incredible raw strength. Utilizing his long arms, he can easily control offensive linemen and shed blocks in the run game. Taylor’s explosiveness and violent hands project well for his potential as a pass rusher at the next level. He checks most boxes in terms of physical traits that NFL teams seek in a defensive tackle. However, his technique still needs significant refinements, particularly in pass rushing strategy and playing with leverage. His tendency to throw his body around results in him hitting the ground too often. While he might be a little bit of a project, with the right coaching from the Browns, he could become a dominant force on this talented defensive line.
Interestingly, Miami mostly played Taylor as a nose tackle in 2023, a role that doesn’t quite suit his skill set. However, he would complement Tomlinson’s skill set well as a pass-rushing 3-tech that can also be effective against the run. While I believe he could contribute immediately, the Browns may opt to ease him into the rotation. Signing one or two reliable veterans in free agency could really prioritize Taylor’s development in year one. As mentioned in my wide receiver offseason guide, Andrew Berry tends to use the draft to address future needs. This will be the theme with most of my draft targets and Taylor definitely fits that mold. While drafting him at 55 might appear a tad early for some, I wouldn’t consider it a huge reach. Nevertheless, depending on how the board falls, they could probably trade down or even get Taylor with their third-round pick.
2. Maason Smith (LSU)
Smith, another young prospect, won’t turn 22 until October of this year. At 6’6″ and 315 lbs., Smith possesses a massive frame that he’s still growing into. His long arms serve as valuable tools, enabling him to efficiently shed blocks, deliver powerful strikes to his opponent’s shoulder or get his hands into throwing lanes. Smith exhibits good lateral movement and demonstrates flashes of pass rushing prowess, including a cross chop. Given his size profile, he can also be an effective early down run defender on the outside, yet he lacks the burst to be a full-time edge defender. However, his length can leave him vulnerable to being outleveraged. Particularly against the run, Smith has to improve in maintaining a lower pad level. Additionally, like most college prospects of his age, he will need to refine his pass rushing technique and enhance precision in his hand placement.
Declaring as a redshirt sophomore, he only appeared in 20 games over his time at LSU. His true sophomore season came to an abrupt end after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the opener. The limited material for evaluation might have hurt his draft stock, as projecting his potential at the next level requires some speculation. Nevertheless, he possesses undeniable talent, though he might be more of a project than a contributor right away. Considering his circumstances, limiting his role in year one or even keeping him off the field completely to focus on his progression wouldn’t be out of the question. If Cleveland wants to make sure to get him, they could select him as early as the third round. However, the more likely scenario might be a trade into the fourth round or even targeting him at the top of the fifth.
3. Michael Hall Jr. (Ohio State)
Remember me mentioning a theme earlier? Here’s another super young player with immense upside: Ohio State’s Michael Hall. He actually is the youngest player on this list, set to celebrate his 21st birthday in June. Standing at 6’2″ and 280 lbs., he’s borderline too light to play the position. However, he compensates for what he lacks in size with incredible burst off the line. Surprisingly, he possesses long arms for his size, helping his ability to avoid getting overpowered by offensive linemen. His hands and feet are always active, delivering punches with unexpected force. Despite his youth and inexperience, he already possesses an impressive tool belt of pass rushing moves. While he occasionally can get skinny and blow up running plays in the backfield, he’s still far from being a consistent run defender. Although he can land explosive punches, he’s not really threatening most offensive linemen with power.
Not only is Hall an Ohio State alum, but he’s also a Cleveland native, offering the Browns a chance to keep him at home. As a pure pass rusher, he could arguably be the most plug-and-play option on this list right now. However, given his current weight, his role may be somewhat limited to that aspect of the game. While he might be able to add a few pounds of muscle, bulking him up too much could compromise his explosiveness. Furthermore, Maurice Hurst demonstrated last season that explosive, undersized defensive tackles can thrive in this system. As a prospect, Hall reminds me a lot of Adetomiwa Adebawore, who was selected by the Colts in the middle of the fourth round in 2023. If Hall is still available at 86, I think the Browns should certainly give him serious consideration.
Honorable Mentions
Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson)
Orhorhoro is a very versatile defender, having played every position on Clemson’s defensive line and even some snaps at full back. He possesses a good blend of power and quickness in a 6’4″ frame, though doesn’t paticularly stand out in any specific aspect. His performance remained consistent throughout the season and he constantly gives his all on every single play. However, his upper body and arms lack some strength to shed blocks or win hand fights against offensive linemen regularly. Additionally, he struggles to anticipate the snap, resulting in being late off the ball on occasion. In my opinion, his versatility may pose a challenge, as he finds himself stuck between being a defensive tackle and an edge defender. Nevertheless, he would be a nice plug-and-play option in the third to fourth round, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him having a long career in the NFL.
Mekhi Wingo (LSU)
Wingo is an undersized yet stout defensive tackle with a motor that never stops. He can explode out of his stands and demonstrates exceptional anticipation of the snap, consistently being the first player off the line. Although he is slightly undersized, he doesn’t lack strength in any way. With nimble footwork and violent hands, he can be a nightmare for slower interior offensive linemen in one-on-one matchups. His impressive upper body strength allows him to shed blocks effectively in the run game, but his tackle radius is somewhat limited. The biggest issue with Wingo is his arm length and the natural leverage disadvantage that comes with it. Despite only turning 21 shortly before the draft, he seems to be maxed out from a physical standpoint. Nevertheless, he would be a high floor, plug-and-play option in the third to fourth round, should the Browns opt to pursue him.
Conclusion
Given the multitude of voids to address at defensive tackle, and recognizing the interplay between signings and draft picks, I want to present two different offseason scenarios here. Although Andrew Berry does an incredible job at budgeting, the salary cap is indeed a real thing. As fun as it would be to bring in multiple top-tier free agents, it won’t be sustainable. Furthermore, the significant investment in Dalvin Tomlinson last year likely prevents the addition of another expensive multi-year deal. Bearing these factors in mind, here are my suggestions for reinforcements to the Browns’ defensive tackle room in 2024:
Scenario A:
- Sign Javon Kinlaw (2 years $9 million) and Jordan Elliott (1 year $1.5 million)
- Draft Leonard Taylor III OR Maason Smith in the 3rd-4th round
Bringing back Jordan Elliott would be a cheap, low-risk move to support the run defense. While he won’t be the long-term solution, he could serve as a temporary contributor until either Taylor or Smith emerges. Adding Kinlaw entails a slightly higher risk, but the potential pairing with Tomlinson would be intriguing. Even if Kinlaw’s development in Cleveland weren’t significant, his ability to move people backward would not only disrupt pockets but also allow for JOK to thrive behind two 320 lbs. linemen. In a admittedly small sample size, Siaki Ika encountered some struggles in his rookie season. Therefore, in addition to providing depth, Taylor or Smith would create competition around the fourth spot in the main rotation.
Scenario B:
- Sign DaQuan Jones (1 year $6.5 million) and Maurice Hurst (1 year $1.5 million)
- Draft Michael Hall Jr. in the 3rd-4th round
This scenario would assume that the Browns are fully comfortable with Ika filling out a spot in the main rotation. DaQuan Jones would be a plug-and-play starter alongside Tomlinson, representing a clear upgrade over what the Browns had in Elliott last season. By retaining Hurst and drafting Hall, Cleveland would significantly prioritize the interior pass rush. Given that both players are pass rush specialists, it’s unlikely that they would consistently be featured in the same rotation. However, having Hurst in the lineup would allow to gradually develop Hall instead of throwing him into the cold water. Additionally, Hall would serve as insurance for the likely scenario of Hurst sustaining an injury at some point.
I hope you enjoyed this breakdown of the Browns’ defensive tackle position! Let me know what you think about my evaluations and if you have a candidate that I missed out on!
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