The importance of the defensive line was never more apparent for the Cleveland Browns until comparing the unit in 2023 to the ones before it. The change to DC Jim Schwartz from DC Joe Woods was important for multiple reasons starting with the return to valuing the line of scrimmage on that side of the ball.
Last year, the Browns invested in DT Dalvin Tomlinson, signed DE Ogbo Okoronkwo and traded for DE Za’Darius Smith while adding depth pieces in DTs Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris.