Offseason overhaul has improved Browns secondary

The Cleveland Browns had one of the worst pass defenses in 2017. Cleveland struggled to slow down the opponent’s passing game, which affected the overall performance of the defense. Last year, the Browns defense allowed 68.6% of passes to completed, which was the worst mark in the NFL. The opposing quarterback had a combined 102.2 passer rating against the Browns defense in 2017, which also ranked as the highest allowed rating in the league. To compound the struggles of stopping the opponent’s passing game was the fact that the Browns pass rush did not get to the quarterback on a consistent basis to help limit the quarterback from taking advantage of the Browns poor pass defense. Cleveland had the 12^th fewest sacks last season with just 34 total sacks as a team.

So, the Browns pass defense, in particular the secondary, was an emphasis for General Manager John Dorsey and the Browns front office. The Browns completely overhauled the defensive secondary. After addressing the team’s biggest need, quarterback, at No. 1, the Browns addressed the cornerback position with the selection of Denzel Ward with the No. 4 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. In free agency, Cleveland also added three new corners in Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie, and E.J. Gaines. And on the trade market, the Browns found their free safety by acquiring Damarious Randall from the Packers. The Browns secondary had a new look. But, how would it affect the performance of the Browns pass defense?

Well, so far through three weeks, the overhaul this offseason has transformed the Browns pass defense into a much better unit. Cleveland has allowed just 61.7% of passes to be completed, which is the eighth lowest percentage in the NFL. The Browns defense has forced the opposing quarterback to a 72.4 passer rating, which is the fourth lowest mark in the league. The Browns pass rush is also getting to the quarterback more, notching nine sacks so far this season, which is tied for sixth most in the NFL. The Browns pass defense is, a few words, a lot better.

To make this an even more impressive feat, the Browns defense has faced two of the better passing offenses in New Orleans and Pittsburgh. New Orleans is led by future Hall of Famer Drew Brees and totes one of the best young receivers in Michael Thomas. The Saints posted just 21 points and Brees threw for just 243 yards. Brees threw for 396 yards and 439 yards in the two other games this season. Pittsburgh has one of the best passing combinations in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Cleveland held Roethlisberger to 335 yards, while also causing three interceptions. In the following week, the Roethlisberger had 452 yards passing. The Browns defense played stiff competition, but stepped up and played well.

I believe three of the biggest contributors to the improved pass defense are cornerback Denzel Ward, cornerback Terrance Mitchell, and free safety Damarious Randall. Ward has been everything he was touted to be coming out of Ohio State. He has been sticky in coverage and has shown the physicality in the run game to be a complete No. 1 corner for the Browns. Mitchell was the least heralded corner acquired in free agency for the Browns, but he has been the best corner besides Ward. And, Randall has really solidified the secondary. His presence at free safety has allowed safety Jabrill Peppers to play more in the box, for which he is better suited. And overall, Randall has flown all over the field, producing at a strong rate in the backend of the secondary. These three have been huge in improving the Browns secondary and the overall pass defense.

With the improved talent in the secondary, Cleveland is getting more time to rush the passer and it is showing up in their sack totals. The Browns have nine sacks through three games. The selection of Ward was an interesting one for Dorsey because many believed they should have taken edge rusher Bradley Chubb to improve the pass rush. However, Dorsey believed the improvement of the secondary would help the pass rush. And, so far he has been proved to be right.

The Browns defense is a much-improved unit. It has produced turnovers at an extreme rate. But, overshadowed by this crazy turnover rate has been the improved performance of the pass defense. The Cleveland pass defense is one to be reckoned with going forward for the rest of the NFL.