Cleveland Browns Comprehensive NFL Draft Review: Isaiah McGuire, DE Missouri

The Cleveland Browns drafted Missouri defensive end Isaiah McGuire in the fourth round. McGuire is a pretty good athlete with production that bodes well for the Browns, but he still has room to improve.

With their second pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns took their second defensive lineman, selecting Isaiah McGuire, defensive end out of Missouri.

In his last 25 games, McGuire racked up 62 solo tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He earned All-SEC Second Team honors in 2022.

Athletic Profile

The best pass rushers in the NFL are elite athletes and while McGuire isn't on that level, his athletic profile is solid. He does have elite explosiveness, which is how he primarily wins. His jumps were excellent. His raw speed is relatively average at that size, but the 10-yard split is notable. 

His agility misses the mark, which isn't terribly surprising when watching him on film. McGuire doesn't have much bend or hip flexibility. He is more of a power player than someone who's going to win with lateral ability.

McGuire will celebrate his 22nd birthday around the start of training camp, so he's in good shape there as well.

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Production

Best Season (2022)

Solo Tackles: 24 (4.6%)

Tackles for Loss: 13 (13.8%)

Sacks: 7.5 (21.4%)

McGuire was productive the last two seasons. He led the Tigers in sack both years and was second in tackles for loss. His solo tackles are his best feature and aided greatly by the fact he had 38 solo tackles as a junior, which was good for 6.8 percent of the team total.

He doesn't miss the mark to be a multiple time Pro Bowler by much. Nevertheless, it's one of the elements had some believing McGuire might go earlier in the draft.

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It's good to play in the SEC. Out of conference, Missouri did play Kansas State, but otherwise they played it safe. They lost to Army in the bowl game in 2021 and McGuire didn't play against Wake Forest in 2022.

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Game Film

McGuire largely plays from the waist down, embracing his explosive ability and his power. When he gets a great start, he is quickly into the backfield, gaining an immediate advantage. He is either driving the blocker into the backfield with power or slipping past, often inside the tackle.

McGuire will attempt to rip and chop through blockers, but for the most part, he's using his hands to emphasize his power rather than trying to win hand to hand combat with the blocker. As a result, when opponents are able to endure his initial move, McGuire has a difficult time shedding the block. He hasn't shown a real counter move to this point.

McGuire can redirect his attack up field to try to slip past the blocker, but he's not someone who can bend and turn the corner. He's high cut with long legs.

For all of the things he doesn't do rushing the passer, McGuire is able to collapse the pocket, squeeze quarterbacks and has pretty good closing speed. He wasn't able to track down the most athletic quarterbacks rolling away from him, but he does cover ground.

He's also excellent when it comes to slanting or looping as part of a stunt as it allows McGuire to take advantage of his power and explosion.

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McGuire is an excellent run defender. He is brutal on offensive tackles trying to get outside of him and can bubble plays going to his side. Extremely competitive, McGuire does his job, fights to the end of plays and pursues well, taking proper angles.

Most of the teams Missouri faced utilized extra help to block McGuire when they ran to his side. It didn't always work as McGuire dominates tight ends at the line of scrimmage. Utilizing bastard splits or flexed alignment, it often required cracking McGuire to try to catch him at a good angle. There are some examples where McGuire makes the wrong read and allows himself to be reached, but they are rare.

When McGuire times the snap right, he's athletic enough to chase down counter plays going away from him. Facing pullers coming at him, McGuire does a nice job of denting the puller, but when he gets caught up field, he has been stout enough to absorb the blow without giving up much ground. He also shows excellent awareness and patience when it comes to playing cutback lanes, shutting them down and punishing the ball carrier who tries it.

Missouri utilized McGuire in every short yardage situation they could. Occasionally lining up over the guard, he was powerful enough to stalemate or even knock the opponent backward.

McGuire played the overwhelming amount of snaps on the right side of the defense. He is effective with his hand on the ground, but he might be more comfortable playing in a two-point. The Tigers used him as a zone dropper at times and McGuire is fast getting to his zone.

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Fit, Usage and Projection

McGuire's gonna be a base end for the Browns who could kick inside on some passing downs. Given his age, it wouldn't be a surprise for McGuire to naturally add ten pounds to his frame, which may be what the Browns had in mind in selecting him.

The Browns added Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency and selected Siaki Ika two picks earlier. Along with Myles Garrett and Alex Wright, the Browns want to be able to not only control the line of scrimmage but collapse the pocket. McGuire fits right in with that thought process.

McGuire can also be effective stunting and is devastating when he slants, something else Schwartz wants to do.

As a rookie, McGuire should be able to contribute as a run stopping base end that can help to keep a player like Myles Garrett fresh. The Browns will cross train him to play both sides, but it wouldn't be surprise to see Alex Wright largely operate on the left with McGuire on the right, since that is where both have the most experience.

Depending on how quickly he acclimates McGuire could see some pass rushing reps on the interior. If he can push a guard or center back, he can make it difficult for the quarterback to step up in the pocket, take away lanes to scramble and enable the defensive ends to convert a higher number of pressures into sacks.

McGuire will likely get his shot on field goal block. He has plenty of experience on that unit and came up with a block this past season.

Between his athletic profile and production, McGuire projects as someone who can be a long term starter. The best way for him to ensure that happens is to improve his hand usage, both in terms of taking on and shedding blocks as well as developing a counter move. His base set of skills is valuable, but if he can add to his arsenal, he could be a multiple contract player.