2023 Cleveland Browns Defense

The Browns fell to 25th in rushing yards allowed (2,295), with ball carriers gaining 4.7 yards per rush with 22 rushing touchdowns. Opponents averaged 28.7 rushes against them.

Their pass defense jumped to 5th in passing yards allowed (3,336) with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Their pass rush only managed 34 sacks (28th).

DE Myles Garrett delivered 16 sacks in back-to-back seasons, half of their team total over this span. He set a career-high in tackles (60) last year while continuing to play well in run support. The Browns acquired DE Za’Darius Smith in a draft-day trade in May to make an effort to beef up their pass rush. He missed all but one game in 2021. Over his last three full seasons, Smith posted double-digit sacks (13.5, 12.5, and 10) each year with up-and-down success vs. the run.

DT Dalvin Tomlinson also moved over from the Vikings’ defense after signing a four-year contract ($57.5 million) in March. His value vs. the run has regressed slightly with each year played in the NFL, making him a neutral defender at this point of his career. He averaged three sacks over the past four seasons. The other defensive tackle position needs someone to step forward due to Jordan Elliott failing too many times vs. the run over the past three seasons.

CB Denzel Ward tends to be a top player in coverage, but he did allow too many big plays in 2023. A shorter pass window would help his success. Ward must clean up his tackling and do a better job in run support. CB Greg Newsome holds wide receivers to short yards per catch with minimal damage in scoring. He’s still looking for his first NFL interception after getting drafted in the first round in 2021.

Their starting combination of safeties project to be league average players. Cleveland dealt with some injuries at linebacker last year, but their overall corps ranks below the league average, with minimal help added in the offseason.

I’m not excited about the direction of Cleveland’s defense. They will have some games where their system matchups up well, but offenses should be able to run on them and take advantage of their weakness at the second level. The Browns rank as a midtier backup fantasy defense with some potential matchup value.