Anchored by veteran Dalvin Tomlinson and with the addition of Mike Hall Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have a formidable defensive tackle group.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz loves the big men who play closest to the football, and the Browns have completely reformed the room over the past two seasons. While it was the biggest weak spot on the roster in 2022, the Browns now roster Tomlinson, Hall Jr., veterans Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris, and round out the room with 2023 third rounder Siaki Ika and 2024 seventh rounder Jowon Briggs.
The play of this group a year ago is a huge reason the Browns were able to provide so much pressure on the defensive side of the ball. Looking to get back into the playoffs again this year, the Browns will rely heavily on their big men upfront again in 2024.
However, looking at this room against the other 31 groupings across the league, where do the Browns rank? ESPN’s Mike Clay has a thought:
Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Poona Ford, Justin Eboigbe
Kurt Hinish, Khalil Davis, Folorunso Fatukasi, Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Jr.
Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, Roy Lopez
Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Jack Heflin, Khristian Boyd
Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Byron Cowart, Michael Dwumfour
Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy
Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Bobby Brown III, Larrell Murchison, Desjuan Johnson
Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore
Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston, Carl Davis, Viliami Fehoko
Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, PJ Mustipher
Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Jalyn Holmes
Jeffery Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day, T’Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn, TK McLendon Jr.
Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, Daquan Jones, DeShawn Williams, DeWayne Carter
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson
B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, Kris Jenkins, Zachary Carter, McKinnley Jackson
Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, William Gholston
Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst, Michael Hall Jr.
Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, T.Y. McGill
Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris, Adam Gotsis, Maason Smith, Davon Hamilton
Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, John Ridgeway, Phidarian Mathis
Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Byron Young, Nesta Jade Silvera
Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Tedarrell Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden
Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry
Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, Neil Farrell Jr.
Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Ta’Quon Graham, Lacale London
Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Dre’Mont Jones, Johnathan Hankins
Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader, John Cominsky, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko
DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson