Could The Browns Create the Best Defensive Line In Football This Offseason?

With Free agency on the horizon, Cleveland has a chance to assemble the best defensive line in football with the addition of one player who is set to be an unrestricted free agent next week.

Earlier this week the Miami Dolphins opted for not franchise tagging defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, immediately sparking rumors about where the 28-year-old could land for 2024. One of the teams mentioned as a fit is the Cleveland Browns.

Wilkins began his career as the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He blossomed in Miami and the 2023 campaign marked his best year yet, finishing with a career-high nine sacks. He was one of just six defensive linemen to tally nine or more sacks in the season. 

Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) strips the ball from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) as guard O'Cyrus Torrence (64) defends on the play during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports   / © Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Stats are a tough place to start when evaluating interior defensive linemen. Without watching the tape, the next best place to go is to Pro Football Focus to get a grade on the player and find out exactly what he is. 

2021 and 2022 were both "elite" seasons for Wilkins who graded out in the 80s both of those years. In 2023 he came back a little with a grade of 74.9 which is an "above average" grade.

To go along with his nine sacks, Wilkins notched 39 solo tackles, 33 run stops and a total of 58 pressures, making him one of the most productive tackles in all of football. 

The addition of Wilkins would elevate Cleveland's already elite defensive line to another level. Matching Wilkins with the defensive end room and a great defensive tackle room would make this line a total force.

It won't be free, though. Wilkins is going to command a pretty hefty paycheck, with estimations ranging anywhere from $20 million per year on average, to $25 million per year on average.

If Cleveland wants to shell that out they will could build a truly elite defensive line. Will that be enough to make the difference in an AFC playoff race? Next should start painting a clearer picture of what the Browns priority list looks like.