Browns Digest

5 Defensive Tackles for Browns in 4th Round

Despite an excellent free agency period by the Browns, they still need to add more depth and talent to the defensive tackle room, specifically at 3-Technique. The middle rounds of 2023 NFL Draft is full of capable defensive lineman that could be solid rotational pieces as rookies. Cleveland should have a handful of them on their draft board.

Matthew Wilson

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The Cleveland Browns need to add more players to the defensive line room both on the interior and on the edge due to the current lack of viable depth. They absolutely can not run into the same problem that they had in the 2022 season, which was essentially the complete absence of effective defensive tackle play.

Cleveland is still in pursuit of a starting 3-Technique defensive tackle in free agency. The top options available are Matt Ioannidis, Poona Ford, and Shelby Harris due to their above average ability as pass rushers. Regardless of when or if they can make a signing there, be it before or after the draft, they're still likely going to look to the draft for depth.

This year's draft class contains a lot of feasible depth options. The Browns have two selections in the 4th round, and have the flexibility to wait until then to take a defensive tackle if they so choose.

Here are five players that fit what the Cleveland defense wants to do in terms of rushing the passer, providing versatility, and being effective against the rush as well. Most of these guys should be available in the 4th round. 

DT Byron Young, Alabama - 6'3", 294 Lbs.

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Pass Rushing: Young is a quick, strong defensive tackle that can consistently bull rush guards and centers into the backfield. He's also great at shooting gaps and winning with first-step quickness as a pass rusher. He knows how to win 1-on-1 matchups with both strength and speed.

Run Stopping: He is exceptional against the run due to his above average lower-body strength and block shedding ability. He does a great job of creating separation with his long arms, reading the play, and getting off blocks. Young has exceptional play recognition and always manages to get himself in the correct gap. He reads and consistently fights across zone blocks, and is quick enough to slip underneath gap blocks and chase pulling guards. He's also a very efficient and strong tackler as well.

Team Fit: Byron Young's value as an NFL player will depend on the type of scheme that he'll be playing in. He's going to be a lot more productive in a system that will allow him to be a one-gapping 3-technique. He is much more productive when focusing on beating a player, rather than controlling multiple gaps. He'll be able to exploit a lot of 1-on-1 matchups in Jim Schwartz's defense. 

Colby Wooden, Auburn - 6'4" 273 lbs

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Pass Rushing: Wooden is an athletic, explosive, and persistent interior pass rusher. He has a good get-off and uses his hands effectively to disengage from blockers. He's able to generate pressure on the outside as an edge defender, and inside lined up at 3-technique. He has a decent pass rush repertoire, but his most effective moves are his arm-over/swim and two-hand swipe. He has an excellent motor and is a terror for blockers to deal with throughout the entirety of each play. 

Run Stopping: Wooden is very good at using leverage and momentum to set up and knock offensive lineman off balance at the point of attack. His most valuable tool when defending the run is his violent and heavy hands. He's able to stop blockers from getting into his body by swiping and clubbing their arms and hands away. Wooden defends the run with technique, rather than with pure strength.

Team Fit: Colby Wooden is a "tweener" that could be attractive to Cleveland based on his overall success at Auburn. He's looked legitimately good at both defensive end and defensive tackle throughout the last two seasons, and has faced excellent competition. Jim Schwartz occasionally likes to use bigger edge players, so Wooden could contribute in that role, as well as at 3-Technique.

Moro Ojomo, Texas - 6'3" 289 lbs.

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Pass Rushing: Ojomo is an athletic and versatile defensive lineman that has played both defensive end and 3-Technique during his time at Texas. He is regularly quick enough to beat opposing lineman off the snap, and then uses his long arms to bullrush opponents into the quarterback. Once Ojomo gets going, he's very hard to stop as a pass rusher.

Run Stopping: Ojomo is an extremely savvy player when it comes to stopping the run. He has a thick, powerful lower body with excellent functional strength to anchor at the point of attack. He's able to read blocks and fight across the face of zone blockers in order to clog run lanes. Ojomo has more power than he's given credit for, constantly throwing around blockers and fighting through double teams.

Team Fit: Ojomo's body type and playstyle is conducive to the type of defense that Jim Schwartz is going to run in Cleveland. He values athletes inside that are able to create mismatches against slower offensive lineman, and that's exactly what Ojomo does.

Zacch Pickens, South Carolina - 6'4" 291 lbs

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Pass Rushing: Pickens is an extremely versatile defensive tackle that can beat interior offensive lineman with both quickness and strength. He is an excellent penetrator due to his explosion and leg drive. He also does a good job of using his length to his advantage as a pass rusher. He routinely gets his hands up to bat down passes when he can't get to the quarterback, and is effective when long-arming guards. He has a constant motor that makes it hard for blockers to keep up with in terms of secondary rush moves.

Run Stopping: He has excellent play recognition and can read blocks fairly well. Pickens is a wall on the defensive line, consistently playing with a wide base and good balance. His energetic play style also shows up against the run as well. He always keeps his hands and feet moving, which makes it difficult for offensive lineman to maintain their blocks.

Team Fit: Pickens is a relentless player that is a constant problem for offenses to deal with. He would be able to come in and compete for immediate playing time at 3-technique, with the possibility of contributing at 1-Technique as well. The Browns' defense would benefit from Pickens' "do-it-all" ability on the interior defensive line.

Karl Brooks, Bowling Green - 6'3" 303 lbs

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Pass Rushing: Karl Brooks is an incredibly productive pass rusher that was used all over the place for Bowling Green, including on the interior and as a stand-u edge rusher at 300+ pounds. He has an incredible motor, is a hand fighting expert, and knows how to use his speed and agility to his advantage on the interior. Brooks has great burst and short-area quickness as well, which makes hard for offensive lineman to re-set on him after he creates initial separation. He seemingly knows how to diagnose and work-off of blockers to adapt his counters and secondary rushes mid-play. He's without a doubt one of the top pass rushers in the entire 2023 class.

Run Stopping: Brooks is a stout run defender that utilizes speed and agility in the run game as well. His lightning fast first step allows him to shoot gaps and get to hip-level of the offensive lineman before they have time to adjust without holding him. He also has enough strength and power to hold up and anchor against double teams at the point of attack. 

Team Fit: Brooks would bring elite interior pass rushing prowess to Cleveland's defensive tackle room. He would be perfect fit for Jim Schwartz's 3-Technique spot based on his relentless ability to get to the quarterback. If Karl Brooks is there at pick 111, I'd be surprised if the Browns don't sprint to the podium with his draft card.

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Matthew Wilson
MATTHEW WILSON

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