Browns’ defensive snap counts, stats, and PFF notes: Week 2

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints.

• Who would have guessed that the Browns would have delivered a solid defensive outing against QB Drew Brees, yet had a very quiet day from DE Myles Garrett. Besides one tackle for a loss near the end of the game, Garrett was held in check by Saints LT Terron Armstead. For the second week in a row, Garrett basically played the entire game.
• Larry Ogunjobi continues to be a beast. He played 88% of the snaps and registered two third-down sacks to end drives. He had a hat trick called off due to a questionable defensive holding penalty that was called on SS Derrick Kindred in the second half.
• PFF says Ogunjobi had 3 pressures, and earned the 4th-best mark among interior defenders this week in that category. However, they gave him a low run defense grade of 35.8.
• With DE Emmanuel Ogbah out, the team turned to DE Chris Smith, who played 58% of the snaps. DL Carl Davis and DL Anthony Zettel each made their debut with the club, and rookie DE Chad Thomas also saw action.

• Joe Schobert was the third-highest graded Browns player on defense with a grade of 70.4. He and Jamie Collins each played every snap.
• With Christian Kirksey out, James Burgess made his 2018 debut, playing 61% of the snaps. After playing 51% of the snaps a week ago, rookie DE/LB Genard Avery was limited to just 32% of the snaps this week.

• The Browns didn’t allow the Saints’ receivers to go off per se, but besides the two fumbles forced by CB Terrance Mitchell, it was a productive enough day for their receivers.
• Per PFF, rookie CB Denzel Ward had a rough Week 2, logging an overall grade of 48.0. He was “targeted seven times, allowing seven completions for 71 yards, one touchdown, and a 148.3 passer rating.” They also say that Ward missed three tackles.
• One big change in Week 2 was that T.J. Carrie replaced Briean Boddy-Calhoun as the team’s nickelback. He was flagged for pass interference once to bring the ball to the 2 yard line. He also had a nice sack later on, coming through the line untouched.
• Despite being active, E.J. Gaines only saw a few snaps on special teams.

• Through two games, we can definitely say that FS Damarious Randall was the most underrated addition of the offseason. He has a nose for the football, and despite often playing the deep role, is showing better instincts than SS Jabrill Peppers did in that role a year ago.
• Derrick Kindred played 62% of the snaps, while Peppers was in for 55% of the snaps. Kindred was flagged for illegal contact in the fourth quarter, a ticky tack play that you’d like to see the officials not reach into their pocket on. Peppers was the Browns’ highest-graded defender in Week 2 with a grade of 74.7