Defensive line again an 'important position' for Browns to upgrade this offseason
The priority last offseason for the Browns was fairly clear cut.
After struggling, save for Myles Garrett's performance at defensive end, along the defensive line the entire 2022 season, a change there was an absolute must. When Jim Schwartz — he of the ultra-aggressive wide-nine scheme — was hired as the defensive coordinator, it only elevated the need.
The Browns responded aggressively, bringing in Za'Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbo Okoronkwo and Maurice Hurst II either through trade or free agency. It paid off with the defense finishing the regular season ranked No. 1 in a number of key categories.
Once the season ended, though, a number of those defensive linemen became unrestricted free agents. That's made the position, especially at defensive tackle, an offseason priority once again.
"I think we will work hard to do what's right," coach Kevin Stefanski said last week at the NFL combine. "I know (general manager) Andrew (Berry) has a plan and is ready to go in that regard, but it was an important position for us that will always be important, just like the offensive line, really. Both lines are super important to us."
It seems foolish to think Berry won't target at least one fairly notable defensive lineman, either a tackle or edge rusher, when teams can begin legally negotiating with free agents on Monday. They'll almost certainly also pick up one with one of their six picks in April's draft.
Will the Browns try to sign defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in NFL free agency?
One of the biggest free-agent names is defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who the Miami Dolphins surprisingly didn't give the franchise tag. Beyond Wilkins, the higher end free-agent defensive tackles are San Francisco's Javon Kinlaw, Tennessee's Teair Tart, Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox, Houston's Sheldon Rankins and Indianapolis' Grover Stewart.
The defensive end group is equally intriguing, with Minnesota's Danielle Hunter, Houston's Jonathan Greenlaw, San Francisco's Chase Young, Tennessee's Denico Autry and Miami's Andrew Van Ginkel. Much like the defensive tackles, though, it may be all about price point.
Which leads back to the Browns' own free agents: Smith, Hurst, defensive tackles Jordan Elliott and Shelby Harris. There is a path leading to a reunion with one or more of their own, while not excluding the high likelihood of signing at least one from the outside.
"I was just really happy with the group that we had this year," Berry said. "In an ideal world, we'd like to bring everybody back. I think we all know the practical realities of it, that we do have to make decisions and trade-offs, but it won't be for lack of effort. If a guy was productive for us and a good fit, we try and make it work."
The two who make the most sense are Hurst and Smith. Hurst, despite suffering a season-ending pec injury in Week 14, was arguably the Browns' second-best defensive tackle behind Tomlinson while healthy.
Smith is the wild card who could take his time before deciding whether to return or go elsewhere. After a May trade brought him to Cleveland, he didn't have the double-digit sack total he delivered in four of the previous five seasons— he finished with 5.5 — but his 40 hurries were the third-best of his career and his 61 total pressures were tied for third-most.
"He fit really well," Berry said. "Really pleased with his production. He was awesome in the room. We really loved having him around. How all those pieces fit together we’re still figuring it out."
Browns' NFL draft needs will be dictated by free agency moves
The benefit of the free agency period will be how it assists in helping the Berry and the front office establish their draft needs. The Browns did their due diligence on a number of defensive linemen, specifically tackles, during their time in Indianapolis.
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske, Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat and LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith were among the linemen who confirmed they met with the Browns during the combine. Smith acknowledged a level of intrigue with Schwartz's system, which he got a first-hand look at in the meeting.
"He really just was telling me that they're very much an attack defense and I liked that, like I said earlier," Smith said, "and I actually think my meeting [was] really good with them. I was able to draw some things on the board, and I think they really liked me and what I bring to the game."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns again prioritizing defensive line as free agency, draft near
