4 Benefits Za'Darius Smith Provides Browns
In trading for Za'Darius Smith, the Cleveland Browns announced they are serious about contending now. In 2023. This isn't a move that teams make because they think they can make the playoffs. This is the Browns announcing they believe they can compete for the Super Bowl.
With the acquisition of Deshaun Watson at quarterback for the entire season among other acquisitions on offense, the major focus was on defense this offseason. The Browns brought in a defensive coordinator who knew exactly what he wanted to do in Jim Schwartz. He's not guessing or figuring out how to do the job on the fly. He's got decades of experience including a stint as a head coach.
Schwartz brought a ton of credibility and a Super Bowl ring with him to Cleveland, which was one of several factors that made the Browns an attractive destination for free agents, especially on the defensive line. He unleashes defensive linemen, encouraging them to be playmakers, so even players who have never played for him are eager to join a team he's coaching so they get to consistently be on the attack.
Outside of Myles Garrett, the Browns defensive line was in desperate need of help, both in the form of talent and professionalism. The Browns signed Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the start of free agency, providing them two players capable of stepping in immediately and starting.
They signed some low risk flyers in Maurice Hurst and Trysten Hill. If he can stay healthy, Hurst can be another player that puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Now with the addition of Za'Darius Smith, the Browns have four playmakers on the defensive line.. He opens up the ways the Browns defense can attack opponents and helps them on multiple levels.
1. Size
Za'Darius Smith is 6'4 1/2" and around 270 pounds. He's a base end almost the size of Myles Garrett. This recreates what the Browns had in Jadeveon Clowney opposite Garrett in that it enables them to play big on running downs. It's difficult to reach Smith and Garrett and they provide size and strength on running downs.
Clowney might have more length and is more of a pure power player, but Smith is the better overall player and far more threatening pass rusher off the edge.
The Browns have been trying to match the size of their AFC North rivals most of this offseason. With Smith, the Browns have the same type of size the Bengals have with their defensive ends Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and now Myles Murphy.
Smith and Garrett have the ability to squeeze the pocket and limit the ability for opposing quarterbacks to escape. The Browns also hope that Alex Wright and rookie Isaiah McGuire can contribute in a similar manner. Adding both Dalvin Tomlinson and Siaki Ika add beef in the middle.
2. Sub Package Mismatches
When the Browns are able to put opponents in obvious passing situations, they are going to put Garrett, Smith and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the field at the same time to heat up the quarterback.
According to PFF, Smith had a pressure rate of 15.7 percent playing across from Danielle Hunter last season. Okoronkwo generated pressure on 13.4 percent of his pass rush reps with the Houston Texans and Myles Garrett registered pressures on 14.8 percent of his pass rush reps. Smith also registered a combined 36 sacks in his last 49 games.
In his time with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, Smith played almost exclusively on the edge. Going back to his time with the Baltimore Ravens, he moved around more and played inside at points. He can also play on his feet as can Okoronkwo and Garrett.
The Browns don't necessarily need Smith to play inside, but it just gives them options. Depending on the matchups he's getting, he may be thrilled to play inside, reducing the distance to the quarterback. Garrett has been outstanding in opportunities he's been used to attack from the interior as well. Being able to do so without suffering a ridiculous drop-off on the edges makes that more appealing.
It allows Schwartz to operate as a mad scientist devising ways to attack opposing quarterbacks. Load Smith and Garrett up on one side. Put Garrett over the opposing center with Smith and Okoronkwo coming off the edges. They can employ stunts to confuse the blocking scheme.
It also ups the fear factor. As much as quarterbacks want to focus on what's happening down field, reading the defense, that's far more difficult when they are keenly aware that Garrett, Smith or Okoronwko could be on them any moment. That leads to mistakes.
3. Coverage Efficiency and Turnovers
The Browns have a talented group of defensive backs. Adding Juan Thornhill as the true free and then Rodney McLeod as the third safety creates a sturdy framework for them to operate as well as more range and playmaking ability.
The most glaring problem with the secondary last year was coverage breakdowns resulting in big plays. After that was the front relying almost entirely on Garrett to generate pressure. As a result, quarterbacks had plenty of time to throw or extend plays and receivers could simply outlast the coverage.
The addition of Smith to go with Okoronkwo and Garrett should dramatically improve the efficiency of the defensive backs and create more opportunities for turnovers. They shouldn't have to cover for as long and the quarterback will be more stressed, which will likely result in more turnover worthy plays.
The Browns intend to run a heavy amount of man coverage. The pass rush with Smith will put additional pressure on opposing receivers to shake the coverage quickly. When they disguise coverages and mix in zone, it could catch opposing quarterbacks by surprise and get them to make a costly mistake.
Schwartz prefers not to have to blitz, generating pressure with the front four and having seven defenders maximizing the number of defenders he has in coverage. Smith goes a long way in achieving that goal.
But whether it's a linebacker like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah or bringing a defensive back, when the Browns do send extra pressure, they could end up with free runs at the quarterback.
No one in the NFL is double teamed more often than Myles Garrett. Teams are going to either commit extra help to block Smith and Okoronkwo or they are going to risk getting beaten one on one. Regardless of how the blockings scheme tries to handle that problem, it's going to be challenging to pick up an extra rusher or two, especially if they are disguised well or slightly delayed.
4. The Browns are a Destination
With Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbonnia Okoronwko and now Za'Darius Smith, the Browns are a premier destination for free agents on the defensive line.
The Browns still need to add a starting caliber three-tech defensive tackle. There are some options out there. Matt Ioanniddis and Shelby Harris are examples. Any free agent has to be jumping at the chance to play on this front.
If they are sitting at home because the offer hasn't come their way they are eager to accept, their patience pays off. They can sign up to play with the Browns and be an afterthought. If this defensive line functions as its capable, that player is going to be face plenty of one on one matchups and potentially rack up production. Just cleaning up plays could produce a handful of plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Play for a team with a chance to contend, put up numbers and increase their value for free agency next year. It's a great situation.
The Browns may have a greater need on the interior, but don't rule out the possibility that if another talented edge comes along, Andrew Berry could greedily sign them up too.
