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Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 2 game against the Houston Texans.
Defensive Line
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
DL | Myles Garrett | 49 | 80% | 4 assists (4 combined). |
DL | Jadeveon Clowney | 46 | 75% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 TFL, 2 QH. |
DL | Malik Jackson | 46 | 75% | 4 assists (4 combined). |
DL | Malik McDowell | 37 | 61% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
DL | Takk McKinley | 30 | 49% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 TFL. |
DL | Jordan Elliott | 24 | 39% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
DL | Joe Jackson | 8 | 13% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
DL | Andrew Billings | 6 | 10% | No stats registered. |
- It was an underwhelming day for Myles Garrett, who couldn’t get the best of Laremy Tunsil. I know that Tunsil is good, but with how much the Browns move Garrett around, Cleveland’s defense has been desperately missing having a better sense of pressure from the defensive line for these first two weeks.
- Jadeveon Clowney seems to be playing the late-season Olivier Vernon role from a year ago: he’s not necessarily making highlight-reel plays, but he’s solid, including against the run.
- Per PFF, “Malik Jackson was the Browns’ most impressive pass rusher, notching three pressures in 24 pass-rushing snaps on PFF’s first-run analysis.” Malik McDowell also had another good outing:
Watch him calibrate the move needed mid-rush. Chops 71's outside arm off to get the needed angle and turn the corner. Clearly gets held. He does innate things unlike any Cleveland DT I have studied in my years breaking this team down. #Browns https://t.co/rcFPoDSef0 pic.twitter.com/IQ6yHBAlAF
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) September 21, 2021
Linebacker
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
LB | Malcolm Smith | 58 | 95% | 4 tackles, 4 assists (8 combined). 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 pass defended. |
LB | Mack Wilson | 25 | 41% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). |
LB | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | 18 | 30% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 pass defended. |
LB | Sione Takitaki | 16 | 26% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 TFL. |
LB | Elijah Lee | 11 | 18% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
- With Anthony Walker down, veteran Malcolm Smith got the start and delivered the best defensive performance of the game for the Browns. He received a grade of 78.7 from PFF, the highest mark on defense, and led the team in tackles. He also had a key interception in the second half to set Cleveland up for a two-possession lead.
- Rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah only played 18 snaps, and PFF says that all of those snaps came inside the box.
Really like this avoidance by JOK. stutter to set up the close and avoid 71 entirely. Big part of how he will win inside the box at the NFL level: short-area quickness. #Browns pic.twitter.com/uWBENGLaiY
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) September 20, 2021
- Mack Wilson received a grade of 77.8 from PFF, second-best on defense.
Cornerback
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
CB | Greg Newsome | 60 | 98% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 pass defended. |
CB | Denzel Ward | 60 | 98% | 4 tackles (4 combined). |
CB | Troy Hill | 37 | 61% | 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 TFL. |
- Denzel Ward (45.4) and Troy Hill (48.3) both graded poorly at cornerback by PFF. It’s rough to see a lot of highly-drafted talent or highly-signed free agents performing at an underwhelming level to begin the year.
- PFF says that Ward was targeted 7 times, allowing 6 catches for 99 yards. Hill was targeted 4 times, allowing 3 catches for 44 yards.
- Rookie Greg Newsome was targeted twice, allowing 1 catch for 2 yards.
- Greedy Williams only played on special teams.
Safety
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
S | John Johnson | 61 | 100% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). |
S | Ronnie Harrison | 53 | 87% | 5 tackles, 2 assists (7 combined). 1 TFL. |
S | Grant Delpit | 26 | 43% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF. |
- John Johnson III (42.4) was among the Browns’ worst-graded defenders. Two weeks in, and Johnson has yet to find his footing despite a solid camp.
- The player who did have a nice impact was Grant Delpit, making his NFL debut. He was a big part of the Browns’ defensive gameplan, playing 43% of the snaps and showing great closing speed on a few plays, including a sack.
Writing up Grant Delpit now. Not perfect, but quite the debut. #Browns pic.twitter.com/hQKou1eq6k
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) September 20, 2021
- M.J. Stewart did not see any defensive snaps this week.
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