Jacques Cesaire is the only new coach on the Browns' defensive staff. Can he take the defensive line to a higher level?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
In a recent poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts conducted by ESPN, the Browns placed six players in the top 10 of their position groups.
Only San Francisco (nine), Detroit (seven), Kansas City (seven) and Baltimore (seven) had more players ranked in the top 10 of their position groups. Houston and Philadelphia also each had six.
So that’s pretty good company. And it verifies why the Browns should have high aspirations for the 2024 season.
But no team is without issues as training camps open this week around the NFL.
Some Browns veteran players reported with the rookies on Monday. All players must report to Berea by 4 p.m. Tuesday. After a team walk-through on Wednesday morning, the entire operation travels to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. First practice is Thursday afternoon.
Over the next two days we analyze the issues facing the Browns at every position group.
Today: Defense.
Defensive line
Projected starters: Za’Darius Smith, Quinton Jefferson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Myles Garrett.
Others: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Maurice Hurst, Shelby Harris, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Mike Hall (r), Siaki Ika, Sam Kamara, Isaiah Thomas, Jowon Briggs (r), Chris Williams.
1. Quarterback pressure from the tackle position was lacking in Jim Schwartz’s first year as defensive coordinator. Can Jefferson make a difference?
2. After finally earning the NFL defensive player-of-the-year award, can Garrett reach a higher level and make a run at the NFL single season sack record? Or even challenge for the MVP award?
3. New line coach Jacques Cesaire spent the past two seasons in Houston under Schwartz protégé Matt Burke. Can he take the D-line to a higher level?
Linebacker
Projected starters: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks.
Others: Devin Bush, Tony Fields, Mohamoud Diabate, Nathaniel Watson (r), Charlie Thomas, Caleb Johnson, Winston Reid (r).
1. Bush was the 10th overall pick of the 2019 draft by the Steelers and had a good rookie year. He hasn’t been the same player since suffering an ACL injury in Game 6 – against the Browns -- in his second season. He’s still only 26. Can he regain his past form?
2. Hicks replaces Anthony Walker as the sage of this position group. Will his experience in the Schwartz defense in Philadelphia give him an edge and make this unit better?
3. After JOK and Hicks, can any of the seven other linebackers be counted on?
Cornerback
Projected starters: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, Greg Newsome.
Others: Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie, Justin Hardee, Tony Brown, Myles Harden (r), Dyshawn Gales (r).
1. Ward has averaged 13 games played over his six seasons and has played as many as 15 games only once. Can he stay healthy for 15 or more games?
2. Schwartz has said his cornerbacks may play more zone coverage this year. Could that change result in more than the eight interceptions combined by Ward, Emerson and Newsome?
3. Hailassie, an undrafted free agent of the Kansas City Chiefs, was claimed by GM Andrew Berry at the 2023 roster cut to 53. After a full year in the Browns’ system, could Hailassie be a factor in 2024? I mean, what did Berry see in him?
Safety
Projected starters: Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill.
Others: Rodney McLeod, D’Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman, Chris Edmonds (r), Brady Breeze.
1. Delpit made strides in 2023 until suffering a severe groin injury in Game 13. The AFC North is loaded with impact safeties (Kyle Hamilton, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Geno Stone). Can Delpit keep up with them?
2. Thornhill’s first season with the Browns was marred by a recurring calf injury. Can he make more of an impact as a center fielder in his second year?
3. McLeod has said this will be his last season before retirement. There’s a saying that if you’re thinking of retirement, you’ve already retired. How much can the Browns count on McLeod this year as the third safety?