2023 Browns Free Agency Primer: Defensive Tackles
Free agency is upon us, and Cleveland needs to find multiple players at defensive tackle that can contribute immediately in 2023. They should be looking to sign at least two interior players.
The Browns are going to be able to free up a lot of cap space once they restructure a few of the current players' contracts, most notably Deshaun Watson's. Watson's restructuring alone should provide over $35 million of cap relief.
Here are 14 players that could be possibilities for the Browns based on schematic fit, age, and financial suitability.
All salary numbers and figures are according to Spotrac.com and overthecap.com.
Javon Hargrave - 6'2", 305 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 60 tackles, 10 TFL, 11 sacks, 18 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 78.2
3-Year PFF Avg: 68.8
Fit: Hargrave is the no-brainer free agent target at the position for Cleveland. He's been one of the top interior pass rushers in the league for the past two seasons and shows no signs of aging. He's also familiar with Jim Schwartz and his defensive scheme so this would be a perfect fit for the Browns if they can make it happen.
Projected APY: $20.1 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $60,454,050
David Onyemata - 6'4", 300 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 43 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 sacks, 13 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 64.0
3-Year PFF Avg: 78.0
Fit: Onyemata has also been an excellent NFL pass rusher at 3-Technique for a while now. He had a bit of a down year in 2022, but he's primed to bounce back and re-establish himself as a tremendously productive defensive tackle. He could be the best option available, and the best fit for the Browns if they're unable to land Hargrave. Being able to sign a player like Onyemata as a consolation prize in the Javon Hargrave sweepstakes would be outstanding.
Projected APY: $9.6 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $29,008,611
Dalvin Tomlinson - 6'3", 325 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 42 tackles, 3 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 14 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 77.1
3-Year PFF Avg: 75.7
Fit: Tomlinson is an enormous human being with underrated athleticism at the nose tackle position. He's powerful, instinctual, and strong against the run with an underrated ability to rush the passer. He'd mesh well into Cleveland's new defensive scheme from day one.
Projected APY: $8.5 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $25,516,191
Poona Ford - 5'11", 310 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 35 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 7 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 56.2
3-Year PFF Avg: 70.4
Fit: Ford is a unique defensive tackle who consistently plays with excellent leverage and a great motor. He has the ability to play at both 1 and 3-Technique in an attacking style 4-3 scheme which just so happens to be the exact type of defense that Jim Schwartz will be implementing in Cleveland.
Projected APY: $9.2 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $27,871,111
Matt Ioannidis - 6'3", 305 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 37 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 10 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 66.4
3-Year PFF Avg: 66.5
Fit: One word that you can use to describe Ioannidis is consistency. He is an exceptional interior pass rusher when 100% healthy, and he has enough strength and anchoring ability to hold up against the run. He would give the Browns a reliable, experienced player inside who knows how to pressure the quarterback.
Projected APY: $7 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $21,450,000
A'Shawn Robinson - 6'4", 330 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 42 tackles, 2 TFL, 0 sacks, 4 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 64.4
3-Year PFF Avg: 60.8
Fit: When he's on the field, Robinson is quietly one of the better interior run-stoppers in the NFL due to his sheer strength and power. Though he has had some injury concerns throughout his career, he would be an excellent addition to Cleveland's defensive line. He's also a player with the versatility to provide quality reps at both defensive tackle spots.
Projected APY: $8 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $24,074,753
Greg Gaines - 6'1", 312 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 36 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, 9 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 59.1
3-Year PFF Avg: 64.0
Fit: Gaines has been steadily improving as a pass rusher each year. He was known as more of a run stopper coming out of college, but has evolved into a much more balanced player. He's a young, energetic defensive tackle who could establish himself as a great overall 1-Technique in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
Projected APY: $7.7 Million
Projected Deal: 4 yrs, $31,195,562
Sheldon Rankins - 6'2", 305 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 43 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 73.1
3-Year PFF Avg: 59.0
Fit: Rankins has been a productive player at 1-Technique, but has shown quality play at 3-Technique as well. He's extremely athletic and is pretty well-rounded as both a pass rusher and run stopper. He is known for his gap-shooting ability and knack for sifting through traffic with quick and active hand usage. He'd be another versatile candidate for Jim Schwartz's defense in 2023.
Projected APY: $7.3 Million
Projected Deal: 2 yrs, $14,745,014
Khalen Saunders - 6'0", 324 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 48 tackles, 3 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 9 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 60.2
3-Year PFF Avg: 59.5
Fit: Saunders has shown a lot of potential to be an above average NFL nose tackle. He's strong and stout at the point of attack against the run, and provides enough of push in the passing game to effect the pocket stability. He would immediately upgrade the run defense between the tackles.
Projected APY: $6.4 Million
Projected Deal: 2 yrs, $12,830,640
Shy Tuttle - 6'3", 300 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 49 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 60.3
3-Year PFF Avg: 68.8
Fit: Shy Tuttle has been a superb run stopper at the 1-Technique spot in the Saints' defense, as well as occasionally rotating at 3-Technique based on the game situation. He's very energetic, athletic, and has outstanding play recognition. He'll do things such as chase down screens and attempt to deflect passes on a consistent basis. He'd be a great addition to a team like Cleveland where Jim Schwartz will be trying to maximize overall production from the defensive line.
Projected APY: $6.3 Million
Projected Deal: 2 yrs, $12,773,168
Andrew Billings - 6'1", 311 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 39 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sacks, 3 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 76.4
3-Year PFF Avg: 64.4
Fit: Billings is a former Brown who never really got things going again in Cleveland after sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID. He's still one of the strongest players in the league and an outstanding 1-Technique. He's more of a run-stopper than pass rusher, but he does show that he can push the pocket and create pressure inside from time to time. He's an excellent bargain-type of defensive tackle for the Browns.
Projected APY: $2.75 Million
Projected Deal: 3 yrs, $8,475,000
Maurice Hurst - 6'2", 291 Lbs.
2022 Stats: Out with injury.
2022 PFF Grade: N/A
3-Year PFF Avg: 74.0
Fit: Hurst had an enormous amount of potential coming out of Michigan in 2018, and Cleveland was actually interested in him during the draft process. There was an issue with his heart, so he unfortunately fell down draft boards at the time. It looks like he's completely fine now, and he's played extremely well in the NFL as a penetrating 3-Technique so far. Unfortunately, he tore his biceps in 2022 during training camp with the 49ers and was out for the entire season. He's technically sound and shows that he can effectively disrupt plays in the backfield. It would be surprising if the Browns aren't interested in Hurst. He'd be an excellent fit as a rotational or sub-package player in 2023 and beyond.
Projected APY: $2.75 Million
Projected Deal: 3yrs, $8,400,000
Mario Edwards - 6'3", 280 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 17 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 14 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 56.0
3-Year PFF Avg: 65.0
Fit: Jim Schwartz coached Edwards while in Tennessee this past season, and Edwards knows what he expects from the defensive line. Edwards is a great pass rusher and can hold his own at the point of attack against the run. He's especially versatile and could play defensive end due to Schwartz's propensity to sometimes use larger edge rushers against certain teams. He would undoubtedly line up inside as well in pass situations. He might be an obvious target for Cleveland, and someone that they could potentially get on a cheaper deal.
Projected APY: $1.5 Million
Projected Deal: 2yrs, $3,250,000
Nathan Shepherd - 6'4", 315 Lbs.
2022 Stats: 33 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 7 QB pressures
2022 PFF Grade: 68.9
3-Year PFF Avg: 56.8
Fit: Nathan Shepherd is a player that's not talked about very much, but has provided quality depth in New York for the past five seasons. He's always been a better run stopper than pass rusher, but he does enough in the passing game to pressure the quarterback from time to time. He's got exceptional length and takes up a lot of space inside. He could be another cheap depth candidate for Cleveland if they're looking for another player to round out the defensive tackle room.
Projected APY: $1.2 Million
Projected Deal: 2 yrs, $2,550,000
