Shelby Harris the Best Option for Browns at Defensive Tackle?
When Jim Schwartz was hired as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, his history suggested that he would seek as many pass rushers as possible on his defensive front. That still may be the case, but with the acquisition of Za'Darius Smith, the Browns should prioritize their sub packages. The best way to get those sub packages on the field might be to add a run stopping three-technique next to Dalvin Tomlinson.
The Browns want Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to be in the game together as often as possible. Not only does that mean they have the most talent on the field, it means the opponent is likely in a passing situation.
So it behooves the Browns to have the necessary personnel to shut down the run in order to create as many of those obvious passing situations as possible. The best available pure run stopper that can operate as a three-tech is Shelby Harris.
Harris was a productive player for the Denver Broncos who was included in the trade with the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson. The Seahawks released Harris the day before the start of free agency in order to clear $8.9 million in cap space.
Often labeled a defensive end, 65.2 percent of Harris's snaps have been in the B gap in his career, the position he would play for the Browns. He's got long arms and decent pop in his hands, which has allowed him to be an effective run stopper, but also fits into how the Browns want to attack the quarterback.
Harris is a power player that can push an opposing offensive lineman into the backfield, which is exactly they want from the likes of Dalvin Tomlinson and Siaki Ika. Harris's pressure rate is relatively pedestrian, but he can facilitate opportunities for teammates by simply muddying the pocket or taking away a running lane. Plus, no one is going to be upset if Harris gets half a dozen sacks as a vulture, cleaning up plays created by someone else. He's done that in three different seasons.
Nevertheless, his job is to stop the run. And with a trio like Garrett, Smith and Okoronkwo, opposing offenses are going to do everything they can to keep themselves on schedule. Those offenses want to try to keep themselves in situations where the Browns defense has to be honest to the possibility they can run the football.
Two examples immediately stand out within the AFC North. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has hardly been a world beater in his young career, but he has been a headache for the Browns when the Steelers stick with him. During this offseason, they upgraded their left guard spot with Isaac Seumalo, drafted Broderick Jones to play left tackle and drafted tight end Darnell Washington.
All of those moves could be valuable for enhancing for their running game. If successful, this could put second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett into favorable positions when he does throw. The Browns need to have an answer for when the Steelers line up potentially in double tight end formations with Pat Freuermuth and Washinton as the Steelers attempt to overpower them with their ground game.
Likewise, the Baltimore Ravens are going through a transition on offense. With Todd Monken as the offensive coordinator and an influx of wide receiver talent, the Ravens certainly want to allow Lamar Jackson to throw more than he did with Greg Roman calling the plays.
The Ravens are going to force opponents to play in space more than they have in years, but part of that is to create running lanes. Their offensive line is enormous and if they can empty out the box, they can potentially steamroll the opposing front with space to run. Previously, the Browns often were able to just put almost all of their defenders near the line of scrimmage able to overwhelm the Ravens with numbers corralling the football. The Ravens might be perfectly happy attacking spreading everything out and going six on six in the middle of the field with the threats both Jackson and either J.K. Dobbins or Gus Edwards provide.
The combination of Tomlinson and Harris inside could also be the best way to protect the team's linebackers, allowing them to showcase their speed and range, able to hit opposing ball carriers with a head of steam. That's the way Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah flashed so often as a rookie. Anthony Walker Jr. has been waiting two years for the type of protection he often had when he was with the Indianapolis Colts, which could lead to his best season as a member of the Browns.
None of this is to suggest that a free agent like Matt Ioannidis isn't a good option. He's more in line with the idea of getting as many pass rushers on the team as possible. Ioannidis generates pressure at a much higher rate than Harris, but he isn't as effective stopping the run. It simply comes down to taste.
It may simply come down to the first player willing to take the contract the Browns are offering. Regardless of the path they choose, the Browns need a starting caliber three-tech on this defense. At that point, the group of Maurice Hurst, Trysten Hill, Jordan Elliott and Perrion Winfrey would only need to produce a viable role player or two and the Browns could have a strong defensive front across the board.
