Wow, Cleveland, right? I mean, they had this epic defense in 2023 — seriously, like, almost unbeatable. But ugh, the offense just couldn’t keep up in 2024. So, everything kinda went south. Funny how one part just drags the other down, isn’t it?
Anyway, defense slipped from top dog at 4.6 yards per play, tumbling to 23rd at 5.6 yards. Talk about a nosedive! And quarterbacks? Forget about it, they went from the bottom to the seventh highest QBR allowed. It’s like the Browns went from a fortress to, well, Swiss cheese.
So, fast forward to these team activities — the OTAs they call ’em. Jim Schwartz, the defensive brain behind the operation, is all like, “Guys, we gotta nail those third downs and snag some more balls!” Eighth on third downs isn’t shabby though, but yeah, only 12 takeaways? Yikes.
They still got guys from that killer 2023 squad, like Myles Garrett. Dude’s a beast, Defensive Player of the Year and all. But now, with some fresh faces and veterans stepping up, the Browns are all about reclaiming that elite status. It’s a bit of “show us what you got” time.
Let’s chat about Emerson for a sec. This corner was the bomb in 2023, barely letting anything slip by with that tight coverage. But 2024 was, um, rough, allowing a 100.5 passer rating when targeted. Schwartz says his coverage is still tight, just needs to, you know, finish the play. Hello, pressure much? Contract’s up soon, so it’s either shine or… not. A comeback could mean big bucks!
Then there’s the NFL draft drama! Cleveland trades the No. 2 pick, shakes things up and grabs Graham. This Michigan guy, supposed to fit right in, even if college was more about holding blocks than smashing through ’em. Schwartz has faith though. With Garrett causing chaos outside, Graham could capitalize on those 1-on-1s in the middle.
Oh, and Collins joined the scene. Signed this 49ers guy for $20 mil over two years. That’s faith. High pass rush win rate too. They think he’ll slot into Tomlinson’s old spot nicely, maybe even outdo him with those quick feet and smart plays.
Catch up on Schwesinger, though. Came in and showed off right away. Snagged an interception at rookie minicamp. Plus, this kid’s got the fewest missed tackles among some 100-tackle peers. Coach Tarver’s all about his body care — sounds like the flexibility of a seasoned yogi, in a linebacker.
And Thornhill? Released. Injuries, poor performance, you name it. Enter Hickman, who might just snag that open safety spot. Done some awesome stuff already, like turn interceptions into touchdowns. Schwartz clearly loves his potential. They’re running this three-safety system now — sounds like it could be Hickman’s time to shine.
So, the Browns are rolling with the changes, trying to piece that killer defense back together. Let’s see if they can pull off another fortress moment in 2025. Gotta love the unpredictability of it all, huh?
