Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (5-10)
Nov 3, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) reacts during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns 4-12
Last Season’s Rankings: #9 Overall Defense (332.4 total yards per game allowed) #8 Passing Defense (221.1 passing yards per game allowed) #18 Rushing Defense (111.3 rushing yards per game allowed)
Last Season
For the Browns, this season starts and ends with their defense. This off-season they added some key offensive pieces in RB Ben Tate, OT Joel Bitonio and QB Johnny Manziel. Without a defense, the Browns are going to be in the same place they were last season: 4-12. With that said, the Browns should see some improvement next season. Their defense ranked ninth overall allowing 332.4 total yards per game, 111.3 of those yards coming on the ground and 221.1 through the air (ranked 18th and eight, respectively). Their 25.4 points per game ranked 23rd last season and contributed unfortunately to their dismal 4-12 record. However, even if their defense had allowed such amount of points per game, their numerous starting QBs and RBs didn’t help out the Browns cause. This season the Browns have a lot of the same defensive pieces coming back, with some new ones too. It’ll definitely be interesting to see where Cleveland ends up this season.
Run Defense
Last season the browns had the seventh best tackler in the National Football League in LB D’Qwell Jackson (141 total tackles, three tackles for loss and seven passes defended), however after free agency reared its ugly head, Jackson became a member of the Indianapolis Colts. Without Jackson’s presence in run support, the Browns are in fact limited, however where tragedy strikes, triumph is soon to follow. With a block-buster, grab-and-sign deal, the Browns went out and got former Arizona Cardinals’ LB Karlos Dansby. While Dansby may not be the tackling machine that Jackson was, he still does have the skills to stop the run (122 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions, 19 passes defended and eight tackles for loss). Dansby is actually in a lot of ways a better overall player than Jackson in that Dansby has the ability to play coverage and bat down passes. He can rush the quarterback and even take back interceptions or fumbles to the house. With that considered, rookie Chris Kirksey out of the University of Iowa adds yet another element to the Browns’ line-backing corps. Over his last three seasons at Iowa, he was able to add 309 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 5 forced fumbles, including four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns during his junior season. For the Browns, Kriksey is a force to be reckoned with at the linebacker position, adding to the already experienced and talented Browns’ line-backing corps. Although he won’t start right away, Kirksey should be able to work himself into the rotation someway As well, the Browns do have LB Craig Robertson (85 total tackles and three sacks) and DE Ahtyba Rubin (52 tackles and three tackles for loss) to help out in the running game. The Browns improved their pass defense and thus should take some of the load off of the line backers and the running game in 2014.
Pass Defense
Although some may not believe it, but the Browns pass defense should see solid improvement over last season.They did lose a big part of their secondary in safety T.J. Ward, however they did add CB Justin Gilbert through their eight overall pick in the draft. Cleveland this off-season made some surprisingly good pickups in free agency, particularly former 49ers’ Strong Safety Donte Whitner. Last season, the Browns were ranked a pretty decent 8th in opposing passing yards (221.1 passing yards allowed per game), however they still allowed 28 passing touchdowns to opposing QBs along with 25.4 points per game (ranked 23rd). With the addition of Whitner to the Browns, Cleveland will be getting a solid tackler, hitter and most importantly a great pass defender (Whitner averaged 89.5 total tackles, 66.25 solo tackles and 8.5 passes defended per season to go along with 6 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles in the past 4 seasons as a part of the Bills and Niners). Watch out AFC North, Whitner is bringing his west-coast style of defense and will be hitting hard every single play. As for the rookie out of Oklahoma State, Gilbert is one of the most athletic corners in the draft this year. At the combine he ran an outstanding 4.37 40-yard dash time and benched 20 225-pound reps. However, he is different from all of the other corners in the draft in that he can make plays. Although this sometimes may get him into trouble with blown coverage or defensive penalties, in the long run the risk is definitely worth the reward. In Gilberts career at Oklahoma State, he was able to intercept 12 passes from opposing QBs while also returning kickoffs for the Cowboys (six of them for touchdowns). He is a play-maker and a baller who happens to also knock down passes from opposing QBs. Gilberts technique may not be the same as that of Dennard, however his play making ability still puts him up at the top of the list for CBs in this year’s draft.
With the skill of CB Joe Haden (20 passes defended and 4 interceptions in 2013), ball skills of FS Tashaun Gipson (5 interceptions), hard hitting of SS Donte Whitner and now the skills of Justin Gilbert, the Browns’ secondary is one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Not to mention, the Browns also added depth at the CB position with little known Pierre Desir. With Justin Gilbert and Joe Haden, the Browns are already set at the CB position, however, it doesn’t hurt add some depth at the position in case (heaven forbid) one of the Browns’ corners gets injured. Desir was a quality corner from a little-known school not in division I. Often times though, it is the unknown athletes that make the biggest impact. With said pass defense, Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel can rest assured knowing that they have their secondary backing them up on the defensive end. Last season the Browns ranked 8th in opposing passing yards per game with 221.1 yards per game. With Gilbert in that all-pro mix, the Browns should see steady improvement next season.
In The End
Many may question why I have the Browns so high on this list. The primary reason that I do have them is because their new and improved pass defense. Donte Whitner and his hard hitting combined with the pass rushing/pass coverage abilities of Karlos Dansby equals one unstoppable defense next season. Watch out for the Browns, they’ve got some tricks up their sleeves.