Browns Get Big Contributions from DLine Depth Against Titans
The Cleveland Browns got a Defensive Player of the Year performance from Myles Garrett against the Tennessee Titans, but they got some contributions from two less likely sources. Maurice Hurst and Alex Wright made a handful of impact plays that played a role in another dominating performance in the defense.
Even as Maurice Hurst's talent was apparent ever since he left the University of Michigan, his ability to stay on the field has been a question mark. First, he had a heart issue that dropped him down draft boards before the now Las Vegas Raiders selected him. Then injuries limited Hurst could do, including missing the two previous seasons.
When the Browns signed him, he was an intriguing flyer. Hopefully he could find a way to stay healthy and be lightning in a bottle as a pass rusher. The Titans game was his best since joining the Browns, including slashing through the line to make a tackle for loss on a run play. According to PFF, Hurst also provided two of the team's 17 total pressures on Ryan Tannehill in the game.
Hurst's burst and agility off the line proved to be a problem against the Titans. With players like Garrett and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Hurst can pair with Za'Darius Smith on the side to maximize the unit's speed to attack the quarterback. After dealing with Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris and Jordan Elliott, Hurst can be a difficult changeup for opponents to block, especially if he's free to attack the quarterback.
Wright's impact largely came in the second half, but the second-year defensive end had the best performance of his young career. He only played 16 snaps, but he was able to get the first sack of his career along with two other stops. Wright also had another pressure in the game.
Wright's rookie year was an arduous one. A raw, third-round pick out of UAB with physical upside, Wright was drafted with the long game in mind. Circumstances that included injuries and limited overall depth forced the Browns to toss him in the deep end before he was ready and try to learn on the fly. He played 543 snaps as a rookie and struggled for most of it.
This year, currently on pace for just 238 snaps, Wright is able to play behind Garrett, Smith and Okoronkwo, being put in position to succeed and build confidence. This is the type of performance that can help him realize he belongs in the NFL. Wright's 16 snaps had the second highest PFF grade on the entire team (90.5), only behind Myles Garrett. Hurst was third with a 89.6 grade on 20 snaps.
The Browns have depth, but want to have flexibility to utilize it how they see fit. Wright has an opportunity to gain momentum over the course of the season and increase his playing time because he's earned it as opposed to it being a necessity.
The Browns have a pair of rookies on their defensive line as well in Isaiah McGuire and Siaki Ika. Most of their development will need to come on the practice field at this point, but the key to sustaining over the season and for years to come is having those younger players develop into consistent contributors.
The fact the Browns were able to overwhelm the Titans allows them additional opportunities to get young players on the field for the sake of development and save the legs of their veterans. It's a long season with limited roster space, so the more players the Browns have can play quality reps, the better.
