The Browns are about a month away from players reporting back to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the beginning of training camp. To prepare for training camp, associate editor Kelsey Russo is putting together a preview for each position on the roster. Check out the quarterbacks preview here. Next up, let's look at the defensive line.
The Defensive Line:
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett
Adin Huntington
Sam Kamara
Isaiah McGuire
Julian Okwara
Elerson G. Smith
Cameron Thomas
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Alex Wright
Defensive Tackles
Jowon Briggs
Maliek Collins
Mason Graham
Mike Hall Jr.
Shelby Harris
Ralph Holley
What we know: During the 2025 offseason, the Browns cemented DE Myles Garrett through the 2030 season with a contract extension, keeping one of their franchise players and foundational defensive leaders a part of the Browns for the foreseeable future.
While Garrett's extension was an important piece of the offseason, the Browns also recognized the need to improve on the field in 2025. The Browns were not satisfied with their defensive performance in 2024 and are working to improve their defensive effort in 2025 – particularly with takeaways and third down percentage.
So, they made moves during free agency to bolster their defensive line both on the interior and on the edge with the signings of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Maliek Collins and Julian Okwara. Then, they drafted DT Mason Graham with the fifth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding an elite inside pass rusher to the group. With the additions, as well as the returning group of defensive linemen, the Browns have a well-rounded mix of veterans and young players. They have players who have been in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's system for two seasons, and others that are new to the scheme. Training camp and the preseason will allow for a deeper evaluation of how each player fits into the attack-front defensive scheme and can contribute to the defensive line.
The biggest question: How will the Browns utilize Graham's skillset on the defensive line? After the Browns drafted Graham as the fifth overall pick, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry highlighted the different traits of Graham's skillset they liked, such as his ability to use his leverage, hands, grip strength and overall athleticism – all of which are beneficial traits for an interior defensive lineman. Alongside those qualities, Graham's elite ability as a pass rusher in the interior is a premium skillset in the NFL, and he adds another weapon to affect the pocket from the inside.
"Having any type of penetrating defensive tackle in an attack scheme rushing the quarterback is always good because the quarterback can't step up if the pocket is getting collapsed," defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. "If the pocket is getting collapsed by Mason, or whoever it is, if they are collapsing the pocket and we got the ends coming around on the edge, it's a beautiful thing."
Graham also joins a defensive line that features a mix of veterans and younger players on the interior. The Browns will use training camp to find where Graham is best suited among the defensive line as he works to earn his position in the depth chart.
The biggest number: 36.2 percent. After leading the league in defensive third down percentage in 2023, the Browns dropped to eighth in the league in 2024 with a defensive third down rate of 36.2 percent. It's an area of focus for Schwartz to see improvement in during the 2025 season, as they want to stop opposing offenses from gaining a first down and ultimately to get them off the field. Through pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run, in the Browns' attack front style, the defensive line can limit an opposing offense's ability to move downfield and limit the conversion of third downs.
See how Myles Garrett, free agent additions and first-round draft pick Mason Graham are shaping the depth and intensity of the Browns' 2025 attack-front style.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) and Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
The defensive line during the second day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2025.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (66) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 21, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (66) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (66) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive lineman Ralph Holley (63) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive tackle Ralph Holley (63) and the defense during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Adam Morris and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2025.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99), Defensive tackle Ralph Holley (63), Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 21, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 23, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive tackle Ralph Holley (63) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2025.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 23, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (66) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025.
The X-Factor: Garrett. Following his contract extension that runs through the 2030 season, there are high expectations for Garrett – not only from Schwartz and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire, but also himself. While Garrett had a number of individual accolades during the 2024 season, including becoming the 45th player in NFL history since 1982 to surpass 100 career sacks, the Browns' defense as a unit struggled to find success. Garrett's presence on the edge, as well as his ability to rush the passer, will play an important role in the success of the unit. Teams will throw double teams at Garrett to try and limit him, which may open opportunities for other players on the defensive line on the inside or the edge to pick their spots and make an impact.
Says it all: "After going through the season that we had last year, and Myles had a really good season, but he left a lot of meat on the bone. And he himself said that 'I can do better.' I know Myles is a prideful man, and he works extremely hard. I know he's going to go out here and put his best foot forward and dominate like he usually does. So, do I expect our best players to play their best for us? Absolutely. And if he happens to have the best season of his life, next year I'm going to want more. So, it's about him coming out every day, working to get better, working with the guys every day and helping them get better, and I think we'll be fine." – defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire on DE Myles Garrett in 2025
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster in 2024: 9
