The interior of the Browns' defensive line is being completely overhauled, with only one returning player among eight defensive tackles. (TLOD)
Browns are rebuilding defensive tackle position on the fly
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Most of the questions to Browns offensive players in the first week of training camp were about the benefits of continuity. Everybody’s back. Very rare.
The opposite is true on defense.
Every position group has new players expected to play prominent roles. But no position has undergone more turnover than defensive tackle.
Gone are starters Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. Gone is backup Vincent Taylor.
In fact, the only player back from last season’s defensive tackle rotation is Jordan Elliott. That’s it. One returning second-year player from among eight tackles battling for four spots on the roster.
Is all that turnover good … or bad?
“We will find out,” defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said with a laugh. “This league is always changing. The final 53 is not even the final 53. From year to year, there are a lot of new bodies. We lost some good players, and we added some good players. Right now, it is about this team and this unit getting better as we go here through training camp and getting these pieces to learn how to work together.
“Every team’s looking for at least four. Four inside guys and we can have a quality, quality rotation. We think we have plenty of pieces to find out who those guys are.”
Here’s a breakdown of the eight players vying for four spots in the middle of the Browns’ defensive line:
Projected starters
Andrew Billings, 26, 6-1 and 328, fifth NFL year
Fourth-round pick of Bengals signed by Browns in 2020 as an unrestricted free agent. Opted out in 2020 for Covid precautions.
Kiffin: “First, he’s the strongest guy I’ve ever seen. State high school [powerlifting] champion. Lifts up our sled off the [ground], like 2,000 pounds. He lost 20 pounds this offseason, got down to a range we want him at. He missed a lot last year. He’s excited to be back.”
Malik Jackson, 31, 6-5 and 285, 10th year
Signed as unrestricted free agent after two seasons with Eagles. Shared one season in Denver with coordinator Joe Woods. Had his best years in Jacksonville under coordinator Gus Bradley, who ran the same system Woods is running in Cleveland.
Kevin Stefanski: “He is a pro’s pro. There is a schematic fit with him, but also he practices hard. The guys enjoy being around him. He brings a lot of energy to what we are doing. He has been on a bunch of good defenses. We are excited to have him as part of that group. It is never a bad thing when you have a veteran in there who has been there, who has gone through it, who has been on good football teams and who understands this scheme. I think it is really important.”
Next wave
Jordan Elliott, 23, 6-4 and 285, second year
Third-round pick from Missouri in 2020. As a rookie, he was third among Browns tackles with 388 snaps on defense, 28.6 percent of the season total.
Kiffin: “He focused on running [to lose about 20 pounds]. He did lean down, in the 285 range. We want him to play closer to 293, where he’s not going to get bounced around. Last year he felt he couldn’t turn and run and be consistent play to play, getting after ball carriers downfield. So he challenged himself in that area. Now it’s just a matter of maintaining and putting some weight on.”
Stefanski: “He is very coachable. If Coach Kiff asks him to do something, he is going to try and do it exactly how he is asked. He is working at it. He has a long way to go. He is a young player, but we’re excited about his future.”
Tommy Togiai, 21, 6-2 and 296, first year
Fourth-round pick from Ohio State in 2021.
Kiffin: “I like a lot of things – athletic, strong, just coming into his own. Where he’s going to fit this year, down the line, who knows? We’re just getting started with him.”
Marvin Wilson, 22, 6-4 and 303, first year
Former five-star recruit, but undrafted from Florida State. Browns won bidding war with $30,000 bonus and another $192,000 guaranteed in three-year contract.
Kiffin: “I actually recruited Marvin for Ole Miss. He’s a talented guy, size, speed, athleticism, a little injury history. We’re excited about him.”
Malik McDowell, 25, 6-6 and 295, first year
Second-round pick of Seattle in 2017. Never played after suffering injuries from an all-terrain vehicle accident. Waived and then involved in a series of crimes and sentenced to 11 months in prison. Signed by Browns after a workout in May.
Kiffin: “He has size and athleticism and he’s hungry. This is a shot for him. What he does with it depends on him and his commitment day to day. Right now, we’re very pleased with him. You look out there and he’s the biggest guy on the field. So, we’re just getting back to the basics, learning how to play football again, getting him back into football shape.”
Stefanski: “He has really taken to what we are asking him to do. He is good in the meeting room. Working really hard. Excited to see what he can do. When the pads go on, you will see some guys separate themselves. I think that is the fun part in this. Malik is going to have an opportunity so we will see.”
Longshots
Damion Square, 32, 6-2 and 299, ninth year
Spent last seven seasons with Chargers after stints with Eagles and Chiefs. Signed by Browns in May.
Sheldon Day, 27, 6-1 and 293, sixth year
Fourth-round pick of Jaguars in 2016. Played three years with 49ers. Waived by Colts in 2020 and added to Browns practice squad.
