What exactly are the Browns up to?? They passed up on Dion Sanders’ son for a linebacker?? What are they thinking?? Let’s examine this issue.
Carson Schwesinger is the type of person we all want to root for. He went from being a walk-on at UCLA to being a star linebacker. The man can work. He has proven that over and over again. He has been an overachiever his entire career. This is the type of attitude we need in Cleveland.
We also need talent in Cleveland. So what exactly does Carson bring to the table?? To make this very short: run defense. Carson Schwesinger, who had a breakout season in 2024 with the most solo tackles in the country (90). His reaction time, motor and closing burst make him a sideline-to-sideline run defender, but he’s an instinctive interior run defender, too. Schwesinger locates the ball quickly and slips blocks to sift through traffic. He matches up well with running backs and tight ends in coverage, and he has the range to get to depth in Tampa 2 looks. With four sacks in 2024, Schwesinger showed some upside as a pass rusher. He is also a reliable and sound wrap-up tackler. In short, he fills a need at linebacker.
I am going to assume that Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry is tired of watching his defense give up 4.5 yards a carry each time an opposing running back touches the ball. The Browns are making moves in the draft to address this weak ass run defense. I am going to assume that this is not the last defender that is great against the run that the Browns will be picking this year.
I do not want to beat a dead horse here, but let’s take a further look at the Browns’ first-round selection at number five overall in Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Graham is an outstanding run defender who led Michigan’s defensive linemen with 45 tackles in 2024. He stacks blockers, locates the ball and disengages in time to make plays. He slips blocks and gets into gaps. Graham is stout for his size, fights to hold his ground when getting double-teamed and doesn’t split the blockers. He shoots his hands, drives blockers back and gets off blocks late. He wins with power rushing off the edge. He’s effective at picking defenders and looping around running line stunts. Graham reads the quarterback well and gets his hands up in passing lanes.
Graham has a lot of upside as a pass rusher. But the immediate payoff he will bring to the Cleveland Browns is as a top-tier run defender. You can apply this description to Carson Schwesinger, too. These moves have been made to fix a leaky run defense. What makes these moves intriguing is that there is upside in the pass rush, too. Andrew Berry is going for immediate results in the run game, with maybe some upside in the pass game.
Speaking of the run game, Andrew Berry added some juice to our running back room in Ohio State’s own Quinshon Judkins. Judkins was the only running back to broad jump 11 feet at the combine and he tied the second-fastest 10-yard split (1.51 seconds) and third-best vertical (38.5 inches) at the position. Those numbers speak to the lower-body explosiveness he shows on tape when he bursts through the line and breaks through tackles. He hugs his blocks and runs behind his pads in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Judkins doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s more than fast enough to break long runs with a 4.48 40-yard dash. He also tracks and catches the ball well, with the ability to step up and meet defenders in pass protection. In short, we got a mini Nick Chubb.
The Browns did not neglect the passing game. You cannot have enough targets in the modern-day NFL. And the Browns added a pretty good one. We have a good tight end. Just look at what the Kansas City Chiefs do in their two-tight-end sets with Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. Both of their tight ends are kind of good at blocking, but they are great receiving threats. This is the kind of thing that the Cleveland Browns can copy when they took Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Fannin led the FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards per game (1,555) in 2024. In addition to playing at the Senior Bowl, he put up big numbers against Penn State and Texas A&M early in the 2024 season. Fannin catches passes in stride before showcasing an outstanding ability to break tackles or make defenders miss. He tracks the ball well and makes plays down the seam. When defenders are closing over the middle, Fannin shows good focus and toughness. In the run game, he’s a competitive positional blocker who can cover up linebackers and defensive backs. Harold Fannin Jr can play tight end, fullback and slot receiver. He will allow the Browns to get creative on offense. Think Kyle Juszczyk.
The Browns attempted to address their quarterback position with Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Kevin Solansky has had great success in the past coaching up quarterbacks who are super accurate. Think Kirk Cousins or Case Keenum. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett both fit this mold. I am assuming this is what the Browns are thinking. I would have preferred Will Howard in this draft slot. I would prefer Will Howard and everything he has overcome to Dillon Gabriel. However, I am not the one making the draft picks here. So let’s go see what Dillon Gabriel’s positive things are. Dillon broke the FBS records for starts (60) and total touchdowns (179). He’s a small left-handed quarterback who makes quick decisions and gets the ball out. He has good poise in the pocket, his feet are married to his eyes and he gets to his second read when his first option isn’t there. Gabriel’s arm is strong enough to make every throw, and he can layer passes when throwing with a strong base. He extends plays, finds receivers late and makes off-platform throws. He’s quick and is a threat to scramble for first downs.
In conclusion, while I do not agree with every draft pick that the Browns have made, I can understand the logic behind it. Andrew Berry is cooking. The Browns are filling roster holes and getting the talent that they need. It will be exciting to see what happens this year.
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