Here's a Quick Defensive Line Preview Before Training Camp Arrives...
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I used to write a lot of these of previews myself for the old board we had from 1999 to about 2012; so consider yourselves lucky that it will be short and sweet. Having said this, I'm on a message board because I enjoy reading other insights and opinions - so don't hold them hostage. Run it man! With Myles Garrett gearing up for another year of sic em, sock em and sack em - let's hope the rest of the fellers up front are ready to bring the heat and swarm. Speaking of which - let's take a quick peek at who we're talking about here.
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/assessing-the-browns-defensive-line-position-preview
Assessing the Browns' defensive line | Position Preview
Anchored by DE Myles Garrett, the Browns’ defensive line looks to excel in attack-front style
Jun 27, 2025 at 10:00 AMKelsey RussoAssociate Editor & Staff Writer
The Browns are about a month away from players reporting back to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the beginning of training camp. To prepare for training camp, associate editor Kelsey Russo is putting together a preview for each position on the roster. Check out the quarterbacks preview here. Next up, let's look at the defensive line.
The Defensive Line:
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett
Adin Huntington
Sam Kamara
Isaiah McGuire
Julian Okwara
Elerson G. Smith
Cameron Thomas
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Alex WrightDefensive Tackles
Jowon Briggs
Maliek Collins
Mason Graham
Mike Hall Jr.
Shelby Harris
Ralph HolleyWhat we know: During the 2025 offseason, the Browns cemented DE Myles Garrett through the 2030 season with a contract extension, keeping one of their franchise players and foundational defensive leaders a part of the Browns for the foreseeable future.
While Garrett's extension was an important piece of the offseason, the Browns also recognized the need to improve on the field in 2025. The Browns were not satisfied with their defensive performance in 2024 and are working to improve their defensive effort in 2025 – particularly with takeaways and third down percentage.
So, they made moves during free agency to bolster their defensive line both on the interior and on the edge with the signings of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Maliek Collins and Julian Okwara. Then, they drafted DT Mason Graham with the fifth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding an elite inside pass rusher to the group. With the additions, as well as the returning group of defensive linemen, the Browns have a well-rounded mix of veterans and young players. They have players who have been in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's system for two seasons, and others that are new to the scheme. Training camp and the preseason will allow for a deeper evaluation of how each player fits into the attack-front defensive scheme and can contribute to the defensive line.
The biggest question: How will the Browns utilize Graham's skillset on the defensive line? After the Browns drafted Graham as the fifth overall pick, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry highlighted the different traits of Graham's skillset they liked, such as his ability to use his leverage, hands, grip strength and overall athleticism – all of which are beneficial traits for an interior defensive lineman. Alongside those qualities, Graham's elite ability as a pass rusher in the interior is a premium skillset in the NFL, and he adds another weapon to affect the pocket from the inside.
"Having any type of penetrating defensive tackle in an attack scheme rushing the quarterback is always good because the quarterback can't step up if the pocket is getting collapsed," defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. "If the pocket is getting collapsed by Mason, or whoever it is, if they are collapsing the pocket and we got the ends coming around on the edge, it's a beautiful thing."
Graham also joins a defensive line that features a mix of veterans and younger players on the interior. The Browns will use training camp to find where Graham is best suited among the defensive line as he works to earn his position in the depth chart.
The biggest number: 36.2 percent. After leading the league in defensive third down percentage in 2023, the Browns dropped to eighth in the league in 2024 with a defensive third down rate of 36.2 percent. It's an area of focus for Schwartz to see improvement in during the 2025 season, as they want to stop opposing offenses from gaining a first down and ultimately to get them off the field. Through pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run, in the Browns' attack front style, the defensive line can limit an opposing offense's ability to move downfield and limit the conversion of third downs.
The X-Factor: Garrett. Following his contract extension that runs through the 2030 season, there are high expectations for Garrett – not only from Schwartz and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire, but also himself. While Garrett had a number of individual accolades during the 2024 season, including becoming the 45th player in NFL history since 1982 to surpass 100 career sacks, the Browns' defense as a unit struggled to find success. Garrett's presence on the edge, as well as his ability to rush the passer, will play an important role in the success of the unit. Teams will throw double teams at Garrett to try and limit him, which may open opportunities for other players on the defensive line on the inside or the edge to pick their spots and make an impact.
Says it all: "After going through the season that we had last year, and Myles had a really good season, but he left a lot of meat on the bone. And he himself said that 'I can do better.' I know Myles is a prideful man, and he works extremely hard. I know he's going to go out here and put his best foot forward and dominate like he usually does. So, do I expect our best players to play their best for us? Absolutely. And if he happens to have the best season of his life, next year I'm going to want more. So, it's about him coming out every day, working to get better, working with the guys every day and helping them get better, and I think we'll be fine." – defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire on DE Myles Garrett in 2025
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster in 2024: 9
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Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
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Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
Well said Aggies! Glad to see you stayed safe from the flood there in Texas.
Believe it or not, I'm more excited about Mason Graham against the run than as a pass rusher. That doesn't mean he's bad at rushing the passer per say; because he was a pain in Ohio State's ass the last couple years. That appeared in the highlights of him I shared in the thread I had about him.
If this defense can give our offense a margin of error and some short fields to work with - it'll certainly help whoever plays QB here in 2025. I remain most worried about the secondary to be honest. Against the Chargers last year, it didn't matter how good the pressure was on Herbert in that game - their Receivers were open and uncontested. Even worse, the communication (or lack-thereof) is very frustrating watch.
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
I see a winning record coming at worst.
Your optimistic outlook is encouraging. Glad to see you weren't swept away like so many other Texans.
Dline will be the most interesting position group behind QB. So long as Coach Schwartz continues to be so rigid in his secondary structures and we can't play with a more controlled aggression up front, the issues that hurt this defense in 23' and 24' will continue to be exploited.
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Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
I'm definitely a "glass half full" guy, but I'm not sure they'll get over .500.
Then again, we will know pretty quickly, quite a brutal schedule to start the season.
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Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
Well said Aggies! Glad to see you stayed safe from the flood there in Texas.
Believe it or not, I'm more excited about Mason Graham against the run than as a pass rusher. That doesn't mean he's bad at rushing the passer per say; because he was a pain in Ohio State's ass the last couple years. That appeared in the highlights of him I shared in the thread I had about him.
If this defense can give our offense a margin of error and some short fields to work with - it'll certainly help whoever plays QB here in 2025. I remain most worried about the secondary to be honest. Against the Chargers last year, it didn't matter how good the pressure was on Herbert in that game - their Receivers were open and uncontested. Even worse, the communication (or lack-thereof) is very frustrating watch.
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Build from front to back applies here and in combination with a better outlook on the OL front with new weapons at RB and TE, this could be the turnaround season for the Browns. I see a winning record coming at worst. Offense moving the chains gives our superior D the time it needs to rest between opposing offensive runs, something totally lacking last year. And the QB just needs to be a good manager, not a superstar.
Well said Aggies! Glad to see you stayed safe from the flood there in Texas.
Believe it or not, I'm more excited about Mason Graham against the run than as a pass rusher. That doesn't mean he's bad at rushing the passer per say; because he was a pain in Ohio State's ass the last couple years. That appeared in the highlights of him I shared in the thread I had about him.
If this defense can give our offense a margin of error and some short fields to work with - it'll certainly help whoever plays QB here in 2025. I remain most worried about the secondary to be honest. Against the Chargers last year, it didn't matter how good the pressure was on Herbert in that game - their Receivers were open and uncontested. Even worse, the communication (or lack-thereof) is very frustrating watch.
Well said Aggies! Glad to see you stayed safe from the flood there in Texas.
Your optimistic outlook is encouraging. Glad to see you weren't swept away like so many other Texans.
One of the guys I play racquetball with had a daughter (a counselor) and granddaughter in that girls camp that had so many killed and still missing. A counselor woke them saying lights were going out closer to the river, so they ran uphill through about a foot of water and mud to the highest ground where they were eventually picked up by the Coast Guard Rescue helicopter. Very, very lucky.
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Myles Garrett is deserving of being the highest paid non QB player in the NFL.
And offenses game plans aim at specifically trying to negate him more than any other defensive player in the league. Hopefully with the addition of our Michigander that all changes. I don't think there is a game plan possible to stop them both without exposing yourself to interceptions on short, hurried pass routes. Lets hope that UCLA LB helps the others quickly stuff the run game too. There will be a quick learning curve for both of those rookies.
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Myles Garrett is deserving of being the highest paid non QB player in the NFL.
And offenses game plans aim at specifically trying to negate him more than any other defensive player in the league. Hopefully with the addition of our Michigander that all changes. I don't think there is a game plan possible to stop them both without exposing yourself to interceptions on short, hurried pass routes. Lets hope that UCLA LB helps the others quickly stuff the run game too. There will be a quick learning curve for both of those rookies.
And offenses game plans aim at specifically trying to negate him more than any other defensive player in the league. Hopefully with the addition of our Michigander that all changes. I don't think there is a game plan possible to stop them both without exposing yourself to interceptions on short, hurried pass routes. Let’s hope that UCLA LB helps the others quickly stuff the run game too. There will be a quick learning curve for both of those rookies.
Didn’t realize it but Watt is now the highest player, surpassing Miles.
Miles probably thinks that’s racist.?
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And offenses game plans aim at specifically trying to negate him more than any other defensive player in the league. Hopefully with the addition of our Michigander that all changes. I don't think there is a game plan possible to stop them both without exposing yourself to interceptions on short, hurried pass routes. Let’s hope that UCLA LB helps the others quickly stuff the run game too. There will be a quick learning curve for both of those rookies.
Didn’t realize it but Watt is now the highest player, surpassing Miles.
Miles probably thinks that’s racist.?
Didn’t realize it but Watt is now the highest player, surpassing Miles.
Miles probably thinks that’s racist.?
You are a lying piece of shit. Literally the only reason you ever post on the Browns board is to attempt to start some bullshit culture war. Your first attempt didn’t work, so now you’re trying to get the ball rolling.
Jesus, you have nothing going on in your life, do you? It makes sense that you’d beg to be let back on here after Zombo bounced your ass. Good thing Steve has a soft spot for racist pieces of shit.
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