Even after adding Olivier Vernon, the Cleveland Browns are still in need of help along the defensive line. The interior line still needs a capable starter next to Larry Ogunjobi, who took a nice leap in his second season but still needs both development and assistance inside.
This is a good offseason to need defensive tackle help. It’s a strong draft class, and the free agent pool offers several potential solutions too. Here are four free agents who would look good in the orange and brown in Cleveland.
Malik Jackson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jackson is a late entrant to the free agent pool. He was among several players dumped by the Jaguars to trim some salary cap room in advance of next week’s free agent frenzy.
He might not be worth the $15 million he was due from the Jaguars, but that doesn’t mean the 28-year-old isn’t a very good player. Jackson was in the top 10 in QB pressures by linemen with 53, yet he did that playing far fewer snaps than many who ranked below him. Jackson is quite effective at creating interior pressure with both quickness and power.
He’s also capable of playing a 5-technique role in an odd front, bringing more of the versatility that new Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has shown he likes to use. Jackson offers 11 games of playoff experience and a Super Bowl ring from his Denver days. Given the lack of postseason exposure on the Browns roster, having someone who has tasted sweet success is appealing.
Ndamukong Suh, Los Angeles Rams
A few years ago Suh broke the bank as a free agent, leaving Detroit for Miami for what was then the biggest contract ever given to a defensive player. The destructive defensive tackle now comes off a 1-year deal with the Rams where he proved he can still be quite effective at generating interior pressure.
Suh’s season playing next to Aaron Donald changes some perceptions about the 32-year-old. He was more than willing to play the role of being a No. 2 next to a star, something which Lions and Dolphins fans would never believe about him from his days in those cities. It opens up the possibility that he could thrive next to Myles Garrett.
He hasn’t topped 5 sacks in a season in four years, but his ability to bull and break blocks on the interior remains strong. In the Rams’ playoff run, where he was arguably better than Donald, Suh proved he can still dominate, too.
Kyle Love, Carolina Panthers
One of new Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ old stalwarts from his days running the Panthers defense, Love probably doesn’t move the meter much. That’s because he is the quiet, reliable guy inside who helps do all the dirty work to let others get the glory.
The 32-year-old has experience playing in multiple fronts and contributing to playoff runs with the Patriots and Panthers. He plays the role of immovable object in the middle of the defensive line nicely. His consistency is admirable; Love recorded 19, 16, 16, and 19 tackles in his four years playing with the Panthers.
He would serve well as a veteran mentor for Ogunjobi, too. Best of all, Love should come for a relatively small price tag.
Christian Covington, Houston Texans
Covington has been the yeoman grunt playing with J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and others in his four years in Houston. An occasional starter (two games in both ’17 and ’18), he’s been a solid member of the Texans DL rotation, playing both the 3 and 5 techniques.
The former sixth-round pick from Rice is coming off his best season, notching 3.5 sacks and 8 QB hits while getting more reps in a pass-rushing role.
A native Canadian, Covington is one of the most media- and fan-friendly players in the league. He’s never quite broken through as a player despite real glimpses of being capable of doing much more. Perhaps a change of scenery would unlock his full potential…
