3 Defensive Line Prospects for Browns at Pick 42

The Cleveland Browns have a lot of work to do in both free agency and in the NFL Draft on the defensive side of the ball. Jim Schwartz has been hired as Defensive Coordinator in Cleveland, which means that there is going to be a newfound emphasis on the defensive line heading into 2023.

It's no secret that Jim Schwartz values the defensive line when it comes to creating pressure, as opposed to blitzing with linebackers. Under Schwartz, the Cleveland Browns defense is going to align its edge rushers in a wide-9 technique. This allows the defensive ends to have more of a cushion to operate with in terms of spacing to be able to pin their ears back and rush the passer. Schwartz addressed his ideology of relying on the front four in his introductory press conference with the Browns.

"If you can rush with four, it allows your blitz game to be so much more effective because you start blitzing on your terms as opposed to the offense's terms. You don't have to blitz just to get pressure. You can blitz based on the situation, based on the personnel as opposed to being forced to blitz to get pressure."

Jadeveon Clowney, Chase Winovich, and Taven Bryan are all free agents now. Combined with the overall disappointment of the entire defensive tackle room means that the Browns desperately need to find quality defensive line talent this offseason.

Here are 3 defensive line prospects that could be available for Cleveland to select at pick 42.

DT/DE Tuli Tuipulotu - 6'4" 285 lbs

Tuipulotu has a distinct blend of size and strength that can be difficult to find. He shows the type of versatility that would allow him to play both inside and outside at the next level. Tuipulotu is the type of player that Jim Schwartz likes to use as his strong side defensive end. Schwartz usually rotates in bigger-bodied edge players in his wide-9 schemes to help at the point of attack against the run. Tuipulotu has "heavy" hands and delivers a powerful punch upon initial contact.

He is consistently able to control the opposition using leverage, agility, and brute strength. He plays with the burst, body control, and motor of someone that's 20 pounds lighter than him. He also has the uncanny ability to flawlessly transition from speed to power due to his continuous leg drive.

Whether it's at defensive end or defensive tackle, Tuipulotu would be an excellent fit in Cleveland's defense and be able to contribute from day one.  

DT Keeanu Benton - 6'3" 312 Lbs.

Benton was a dominant run stopper at Wisconsin as well as a standout at the Reese's Senior Bowl. He is the exact type of player that the Cleveland defense has been missing at defensive tackle, specifically from the 1-technique spot. He's built like a tank, with a thick lower body and strong core. Benton consistently acts as a roadblock in the middle of the defensive line, showing the ability to walk back offensive linemen into the backfield. 

He'll need to work on his pass rushing repertoire at the NFL level, but you're really valuing what he brings to the defense on first and second down initially. He showed his violent punch and improved hand-fighting skills at the Senior Bowl. There were a couple of reps where he physically lifted the opposing offensive lineman off of the ground. Benton also does a great job of controlling his hand placement. This allows him to maneuver and discard the blocker on a consistent basis against the run.

Cleveland desperately needs to stem the bleeding on the interior of the defensive line, and Benton would most likely give them the best chance to do so in this spot. He would immediately step in and improve what was one of the worst rush defenses in the league in 2022.

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah - 6'4" 255 Lbs.

Anudike-Uzomah has been one of the most feared defensive players in the Big XII conference for the last two seasons. He is a freak athlete that wins with explosion, unmatched hand movement, and pure speed. Anudike-Uzomah has a deadly hop-cross-chop move that is difficult to defend against because he is already at hip depth of the offensive lineman before any real contact is made. 

Being the type of speed rusher that he is, he naturally gives up ground in the run game, especially against powerful offensive tackles in gap schemes. Though this isn't ideal, the style of defense that Cleveland will most likely be running in 2023 puts a lot more responsibility on the linebackers in the run game versus the defensive line.

Anudike-Uzomah paired with Myles Garrett would be a dangerous combination at defensive end in the style of defense that Jim Schwartz runs. The Browns would possibly have prominent, bookend edge rushers for the foreseeable future if Felix Anudike-Uzomah is the selection here.