Continuing To Improve The Cleveland Browns Heading Towards 2027 - Defensive Review

While I regularly write about next season and roster predictions, this looks more at what the team is likely to do. In this piece I want to focus on where the Browns need to improve to get to above average in each position room for 2027. It will focus much more on the starters rather than seeing anything in terms of depth.

They have a fantastic amount of cash and draft picks at their disposal to keep adding more to this young talented roster.

According to SūmerSports, the Cleveland Browns rank 11th in pressure rate and 7th in pressures generated as a defense this season. It is incredibly impressive when you consider they traded Myles Garrett and Alex Wright was injured. During the Andrew Berry era they have generally had a higher performing second edge, maybe Alex Wright can be that but it will depend how he bounces back from his injury. They will certainly be looking at drafting or adding more talent here in the offseason, their rotational depth is stacked, but they could do with a special player to lead the room, this will hopefully allow Verse to bounce back to his level with the Rams.

The Browns have a stud with Graham but the question is what to do with Maliek Collins. He is playing really well the last five weeks but he will also turn 32 just before the draft, so it might be one where we need to see how he finished the season before making a decision. At the same time Adin Huntington has jumped forward too in the last few weeks after a poor start to the season. They could run it back, but at the same time I can see them adding one more and operating from a position of strength with Collins as a dominant third defensive tackle. Then moving on from Hall or Huntington at the end of training camp. Whatever they do they will be in a strong position next season.

The two starters are fantastic and will return next season. They need to find a more reliable third linebacker. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold's 36 career defensive snaps haven't convinced me that he can step in and start if there is an injury. Maybe he gets a chance to prove his point during this season. You don't need to spend much here, around $2-3m can get you an experienced third linebacker that can also play special teams. They aren't needed for defensive play in this scheme as it is two linebacker heavy, but it gives you injury protection.

Around 66% of snaps they will play a third cornerback in the slot. This issue with Myles Harden is the inconsistency. You have times when he is great and others when he is really struggling. Ideally they will want a better player here as well as more depth for injuries behind Ward and Campbell. Blackmon was serviceable but where most teams don't have three good cornerbacks, the chances of having real depth are incredibly thin. If they can draft someone the develop on the boundary and add more experience in the slot via free agency, it will put them in an even stronger spot next season.

They will have a decision to make after the season of what to do with Hickman. Both Delpit and McNeil-Warren are here for the long term and will be starting next season. There has been a gentle increase in usage of a third safety with the team playing them 40-50% the last three weeks. This seems to be wider than just wanting to get McNeil-Warren on the field as it continued when Delpit went down and they brought Daniel Thomas in. This could open the door to keeping Hickman beyond this season, while Thomas played well, there is a benefit to having more depth. I can see them pushing to keep Hickman as long as he isn't wanting too much, especially if he is playing around 50% of snaps and providing quality depth at the same time.

I would expect the plan is to run it back. They could look to change their punter though if they are moving to being a top team. Corey Bojorquez's skill is flipping the field, if you are looking to punt and pin someone in deep, then there is probably someone else you can find. The fact they had three punters during camp and then one on the practice squad shows they want more.

After a rough week one start, it feels like his work has been exceptional. Despite losing a superstar in Myles Garrett they have spread the burden across the rest of the roster and everyone is stepping up. We will need to see it over a larger period but this feels like a very talented defensive coaching staff. Don't be shocked if defensive coordinators are hired from this group over the next few years.

The shopping list is very low, there are no desperate needs, more areas it would be nice to upgrade, such as:

Defensive Tackle Help (If Collins Slows)

It feels like the Browns are approaching an offseason where it is a quarterback and luxury picks/additions. It is important that they don't go and waste that advantage. The Chiefs should have taken Tee Higgins in the 2020 draft to add more weapons but thought a running back would help them more and selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Their struggle with pass catchers continues to this day where as they have found alternative backs fairly easily. While people regularly talk about 'best player available' the Browns could operate from that position in the 2027 draft.

It is why coming into this season I was incredibly high on the Browns in 2027 and I see no reason to pause the optimism.