The Browns now have their top candidate
The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett just 16 weeks into his opening campaign. And by doing so, they opened up the top candidate for the Cleveland Browns as they more than likely search for a new defensive coordinator this offseason to replace Joe Woods. Turning down the interim head coaching gig in Denver, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero may be on the move in two weeks.
While Evero is going to interview for head coaching jobs around the league, the Browns will do their due diligence. And should Evero fail to secure one of the openings that come available, they must be ready to pounce on a promising and young defensive mind like Evero.
This season, the Browns are giving up the most EPA per play on the ground of any defense in the NFL. While Denver’s rush defense is not a top-tier unit against the run either, falling 23rd in the NFL, they are still not giving up positive EPA per play.
Where Evero makes his money, however, is how his unit defends the pass. The Browns have the 11th-best defensive unit against aerial attacks, but the Broncos sit top-five in the same metric even after trading away their best pass rusher in Bradley Chubb at the deadline.
The Broncos also have some talent expected to hit free agency. If the Browns can land Evero, there is a chance that a talent like former Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones may be enticed to follow him. Coaching up safety John Johnson III in Los Angeles as well, the Browns may be able to salvage their once-high-profile defensive back.
Jim Leonhard is on the list, and there will be plenty more to interview for the gig in Cleveland this offseason. However, the Browns should have the brink trucks ready to back up for Evero should he find himself in the position to take another defensive coordinator job in 2023.
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