Browns Training Camp | Exclusive Peek At Browns Elite 2024 Defense

Get an exclusive peek at the Browns' elite 2024 defense at Training Camp! Watch the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show for all the latest Cleveland Browns news. The Browns' defense not only improved but flourished in its first season under coordinator Jim Schwartz. With an aggressive scheme that relied on high rates of man coverage and blitzing, Cleveland allowed the fewest yards in the league. The gap between the Browns and the second-best defense (Kansas City Chiefs) was larger than the gap between the Chiefs and the ninth-best defense (Buffalo Bills). Cleveland also yielded the lowest completion percentage and lowest Total QBR.
As the defense enters its second season under Schwartz, the Browns believe they're ready to build on the success of Year 1, and see plenty of room for improvement.
"Going into Year 2 now under Schwartz's defense, everybody can now get a little more comfortable," defensive end Za'Darius Smith said. "For myself, coming from a 3-4 system, I was always a guy who had to stand up, so just being down in the [three-point stance] now, not really looking at formations was something new for me. But now I'm starting to get the hang of it, man. And as you can see this year, you see a better 'Z.' I can tell you that much."
Though the Browns were one of the stingiest defenses in 2023, their performance dipped in the final weeks of the season, and there was a disparity in home and road splits.
Red zone defense was also a season-long issue. The Browns had the worst red-zone defense in the NFL, allowing 71% of red-zone drives to result in a touchdown. The Browns also ranked last in goal-to-go defense and were the only team to allow at least 90% of goal-to-go situations to result in a touchdown.
"If we can make guys settle for three points instead of getting seven, we save four points for the offense, and four points in this league ... that's a big difference," cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. said. "That's my goal for this defense. One of our goals for this defense."
The Browns' final game of the season also left much to correct. In Cleveland's 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round, the Browns allowed season-worst marks in yards per play and defensive EPA per play. Schwartz doesn't think major overhauls are necessary but said the unit's familiarity with the scheme will allow him to add wrinkles in 2024.
If the Browns' defense does improve in 2024, it will be driven by continuity. The Browns didn't look to make a litany of upgrades in the offseason and that includes the defense, where the biggest change is at linebacker. Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki, who started a combined 17 games, departed in free agency. To replace them, Cleveland signed Jordan Hicks, reuniting the 10-year veteran with Schwartz. Hicks, who has recorded at least 100 tackles in five straight seasons, played three seasons under Schwartz when he was the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Browns also used their first pick in the 2024 draft on defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., selecting the Ohio State standout 54th overall. The team is bullish on his pass-rush upside, which could earn him playing time in a deep defensive line rotation. But the core of a potentially dominant unit is back. The defense will lean on stalwarts such as end Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, as well as cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, all of whom were Pro Bowlers in 2023.
This time last year was about learning the fundamentals of a new scheme. Now, it's about adding to those building blocks with their sights on even more. And the Browns' retaining their defensive performance in 2024 could be even more pivotal given the gauntlet of elite quarterbacks on their schedule and the uncertainty of the offense, which is introducing a new scheme as multiple key players, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, work their way back from season-ending injuries.
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[@wesdabrownsfan]

All I know is NCAA 25, Madden, browns training camp 🎉 fucking love this time of the year 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@WSAMP24]

madden has Watson rated a 74 overall. the 24th best qb in the game.

[@nicejetpack]

@@WSAMP24sounds about right unless he proves otherwise

[@WSAMP24]

@@nicejetpack agree

[@DeepSeaSleepin]

33days!!! Go browns

[@bless5107]

All I hear is evidence of an excellent GM & Coach installing a culture that is worth a damn. Talent management often pays on the second contract. Players with talent and agency picking the Browns over other teams is a huge step for the franchise.

[@stephenwalden7273]

Great show G., My favorite episode so far! I hope the D can get better, we have 9 road games this year.

[@cottonwoodslim3497]

I'm looking for Alex Wright to make even a bigger jump. Would you like to be a Quarterback in the AFC North and have to face these other defenses twice a year?

[@cottonwoodslim3497]

Great analysis as always. I agree with everything you said about our linebackers. Awok was a good player and great teammate but the poor guy just couldn't stay healthy. We'll miss Taki though.

[@ChubbTrain]

They got pants lol!

[@rossrankin-yt8dt]

If you have a good defense…it should always carry. Didn’t last year. I believe it will this year…2nd year in the same system with many parts back.

[@nodaysoff7070]

Run it up

[@christopherjudd8996]

Because we believe in our team we get disrespected by outside and national media they call us delusional Browns fans for saying we believe they can make a run at the Superbowl. I wholeheartedly believe in this team and I will tell anyone who listens my convictions because it's how I really feel this team is and that's nothing short of Superbowl contenders! We have a real shot this year and don't let what anyone else says stop you from believing because when it does happen we will have our time to smile and pay it all back in kind. Go Browns!!

[@momoni90]

Myles Garrett get held on every play.

[@Hawkeye62]

Screw PFF who cares what they say they are like the other naysayers always bashing the Browns!

[@dawgpoundk9499]

They bash the browns as a team. Then they rank their roster top 10. Then they bash Deshaun. Then they hand out elite individual grades for Myles Garrett, and one other random guy a week, and tear everyone else to shreds. But still project the Browns a winning season. And then wonder why people won’t take them seriously. They’re a Joke.

[@karlmeincke64]

Wtf is up with this music

[@traemccall2504]

Idk why pff dislike ward so bad damn near every top wr like Adam chase Jefferson dj javis digs and the list goes on said ward top 3 period an pff got him 17th the disrespect

[@ronaldmick5455]

G has good moments but has driven me nuts for years. Whines without justification. His anti Baker and Stefanski drove me crazy. He’s really grown on me recently. Another great show.

[@DJRAKKK]

Browns lost because they were too banged up by the time they got to The texans.

[@aaronbutler9373]

Browns= soft exposed Defense. Only work from home anyways. Scared to travel. Ravens = Dominant and Bullying Defense at home and away from home.

[@ChubbTrain]

They've been the number 1 seed how many times and they have what 2 playoff wins ! Come down their guy

[@ChubbTrain]

Lamar Jackson is a bum in the playoffs and they'll never beat the Chiefs. That bully defense at home got exposed by us and our QB with a broken shoulder!

[@Aaron-dk1rf]

Hickman = Jordan Poyer 2.0