Cleveland Browns: The Case for Stability

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Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Jordan Poyer (33) returns an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns have assembled a lot of young talent on the defensive side of the ball that is showing promise. In the secondary, they have added Pierre Desir (25), K’Waun Williams (24), Ibraheim Campbell (23), Jordan Poyer (24). They inherited Tashaun Gipson (25) and Joe Haden (26).

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This is not including the enigma and disaster to this point named Justin Gilbert (23) as well as rookies Charles Gaines (23), who has been hurt and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (22), who was drafted with a long term- potentially multiple-season plan- in mind. Johnson Bademosi (25) was already there when this group arrived, but he should only be a special teams player.

Desir and Campbell might be the best examples of the front office and coaching staff being in lock step on a move. Both players were picked in the fourth round and both players fit ideally into the defensive scheme.

In a system that wants to play press man, Desir has the initial punch to press opponents at the line as well as the length and athleticism to run with them down the field. Despite coming out of a small school in Lindenwood, Desir has made the transition to the NFL well and is getting better with reps. His tackling could improve, but he is not unwilling to do it.

For the strong safety position, the Browns want to be able to run a two-high safety look in their base defense. They need a strong safety that can see the field in front of him, is able to diagnose and come down hill to play the run, play man coverage in certain spots and then drop into zones.

This is why this regime did not try to retain T.J. Ward. They might not have handled it well from a PR standpoint, but Ward is strictly a box safety that needs to be protected over the top and is more of an undersized linebacker than a true safety. While Whitner has played poorly this year, that is why he was brought in last year, and they are not stuck with him in the long term, which was the problem with resigning Ward. A long-term contract with a player they felt did not fit their defense.

Enter Campbell, who at Northwestern, showed excellent awareness and an ability to see the field and great instincts. He possesses a great deal of football intelligence and can see plays developing in front of him while being able to drop into zone or come up and make tackles. In his opportunities with the Browns, albeit limited, he has done the same things while being a better wrap up tackler than Whitner. He shows the potential to be a long-term answer at that position, and a full NFL offseason could do wonders for him.

Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The linebacker level of the defense has the least promising talent in place, but nevertheless has some pieces that can be productive. Chris Kirksey (23) was a third round pick and has been a promising player, particularly in nickel.

They inherited Craig Robertson (27) who seems to be a good depth/special teams player forced into a run stopping starter role. They also inherited Tank Carder (26), but he is nothing more than a special teams player.

They drafted Hayes Pullard in the 7^th round, who had been on the practice squad, but was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the season. If he ends up available again, the Browns may scoop him back up, but it is not difficult to see the Browns need help at this position in terms of young, viable, starting caliber talent.

Outside, the Browns inherited Barkevious Mingo (25). Mingo is the best SAM on the team but his usage suggests the coaching staff does not agree. They also inherited Armonty Bryant (25), whom they like quite a bit as a pass rusher.

This past year, they drafted Nate Orchard (22), who is having some significant growing pains as a rookie. They need to decide what they are doing with Mingo going forward and just get more out of the young players they have.

The defensive line is not playing as well as anyone would have hoped, but they do have a lot of intriguing young pieces in place. They drafted Danny Shelton (22) and Xavier Cooper (23) this year to help the interior.

Shelton is improving, and there is work that needs to be done in the offseason, particularly with his pad level, but he has shown to be a player who will do it. Cooper is ideally suited to be a penetrator and situational pass rusher inside that can gradually add more in terms of his ability to play the run. The problem for Cooper is that the Browns really only have one 5-technique defensive end in Desmond Bryant and occasionally have to put Cooper outside despite the fact he is not a good fit there.

They also added Jamie Meder (24) who has been a good backup nose tackle but has found himself in key situations this year, basically as a starter. He is a perfect undersized changeup that is quicker than Shelton but is just relentless in how he plays the game. They inherited John Hughes (26), who they signed to an extension and give them the set of interior defensive tackles that should allow this defense to work.

Next: What is the biggest DL need?

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