Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Everybody knows the Browns need to severely upgrade their defensive line in this transaction season.
The first step was hiring Jim Schwartz as the new defensive coordinator. Schwartz has a history of getting the most out of his defensive linemen. They tend to love him. Quarterback pressure up front is the basis of his entire scheme.
“We run a very D-line-friendly scheme,” Schwartz said at his introduction last month. “Over the course of my career I have talked to a lot of offensive coaches and I have talked to a lot of quarterbacks over the years, and the way you affect the game the most in this league is by pass rush.”
This old-school philosophy actually contrasts with new thinking from the analytics set. The computer nerds contend that a quality secondary is more important in today’s NFL because of the steady influx of pro-ready, blue-chip receivers into the NFL.
The Browns under GM Andrew Berry seem to have sided with the analytics point of view.
In three transaction seasons, Berry re-invested in cornerback Denzel Ward with a $100 million contract extension, used a No. 1 pick on cornerback Greg Newsome, used a No. 2 pick on safety Grant Delpit, used a No. 3 pick on cornerback M.J. Emerson, and signed safety John Johnson to a $33 million contract in free agency.
Berry hasn’t ignored the defensive line, but he has limited his draft picks at the position to no higher than 78th overall in the third round (Alex Wright), and has used free agency exclusively on one-year, prove-it deals.
“It is hard to win in coverage,” Schwartz said. “The rules have changed. They make it hard to put hands on guys – illegal contacts … DPIs, and all of those things. It is hard, and these guys, these wide receivers are freak shows. You can still win one-on-one on pass rush. And a devasting pass rush goes a long way.”
So this year, the priority moves to the front of the Browns’ defense. And with no No. 1 pick, the mandate to Berry is to retool the defensive line through free agency.
The official list of available free agents won’t be finalized until the first week of March, as teams have the opportunity to re-sign players whose contracts expire before then.
Here’s a list of defensive tackles and ends who possibly could be available when free agency begins on March 15, along with projected market values.
Defensive tackles
* Javon Hargrave, Eagles, 30, 6-2, 305
Contract projections: Pro Football Focus: three years/$55 million. Spotrac: three years/$60 million.
* Da’Ron Payne, Commanders, 25, 6-3, 320
PFF: three years/$55 million. Spotrac: three years/$60 million.
* Dalvin Tomlinson, Vikings, 28, 6-3, 325
PFF: three years/$35.25 million. Spotrac: three years/$25 million.
* Dre’mont Jones, Broncos, 26, 6-3, 281
PFF: four years/$58 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* David Onyemata, Saints, 30, 6-4, 300
PFF: two years/$15 million. Spotrac: three years/$29 million.
* Sheldon Rankins, Jets, 28, 6-2, 287
PFF: two years/$12 million. Spotrac: two years/$14.7 million.
* A’shawn Robinson, Rams, 27, 6-4, 320
PFF: one year/$2.5 million. Spotrac: three years/$24 million.
* Poona Ford, Seahawks, 27, 5-11, 311
PFF: two years/$12.5 million. Spotrac: three years/$28 million.
* Matt Ioannidis, Panthers, 29, 6-3, 309
PFF: two years/$13 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* Jerry Tillery, Raiders, 26, 6-6, 295
PFF: N/R. Spotrac: two years/$15.7 million.
* Johnathan Hankins, Cowboys, 30, 6-3, 320
PFF: N/R. Spotrac: N/R.
Defensive end
* Marcus Davenport, Saints, 26, 6-6, 265
PFF: one year/$12m. Spotrac: four years/$93 million.
* Charles Omenihu, 49ers, 25, 6-5, 280
PFF: two years/$17.5 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* Arden Key, Jaguars, 26, 6-5, 240
PFF: two years/$18.5 million. Spotrac: two years/$22 million.
* Samson Ebukan, 49ers, 27, 6-3, 245
PFF: three years/$37.5 million. Spotrac: three years/$23 million.
* Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Texans, 27, 6-2, 253
PFF: two years/$11 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* Yannick Ngakoue, Jaguars, 27, 6-2, 245
PFF: two years/$25 million. Spotrac: four years/$59.2 million.
* Zach Allen, Cardinals, 25, 6-4, 281
PFF: three years/$37.5m. Spotrac: two years/$12.7 million.
* Morgan Fox, Chargers, 28, 6-3, 275
PFF: two years/$9 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* Melvin Ingram, Dolphins, 33, 6-2, 250
PFF: one year/$4 million. Spotrac: N/R.
* Justin Houston, Ravens, 34, 6-3, 270
PFF: one year/$4 million. Spotrac: two years/$10.7 million.
* Rasheem Green, Texans, 25, 6-4, 280
PFF: two years/$10 million. Spotrac: two years/$6.8 million.
* Dawuane Smoot, Jaguars, 27, 6-3, 249
PFF: three years/$27 million. Spotrac: two years/$27.5 million.
* Clelin Ferrell, Raiders, 25, 6-4, 265
PFF: N/R. Spotrac: N/R.