The Cleveland Browns defense has struggled over the course of the first two weeks of the NFL season. While the team might be 1-1, the defense hasn’t done the team any favors. They have allowed a total of 68 points in the first two games versus Baltimore and Cincinnati. The unit struggled to get off the field, allowing long drives and lots of yards along the way.
The defensive back seven has been the biggest area of concern on the defense. The defensive line has done its job, for the most part, winning the line of scrimmage in the first two games. But, the linebacker corps and secondary has been the Achilles Heel on the defense, giving opposing offenses opportunities to move the ball. However, there is hope for an improvement in the back seven.
On Monday, the Browns welcomed back linebacker Mack Wilson, cornerback Kevin Johnson, and cornerback Greedy Williams to practice. All three players had suffered injuries during training camp causing them to miss the first two games of the season. Their absence was felt in a major way.
Wilson came into the season as the Browns’ most physically gifted linebacker and one who was supposed to be a major part of the defense. He has good athleticism and is a vocal player for the defense. With the lack of talent at linebacker, Wilson was expected to start and play a lot for Cleveland. So, missing him for the first couple of games has hurt the defense to a point. It has put a lot of pressure on an already weak linebacker corps. Getting back Wilson will hopefully be a helpful addition to this struggling unit.
Though, the biggest absences on the defense have been Williams and Johnson at cornerback. Williams and Johnson were supposed to be the starting No. 2 cornerback and starting slot corner. With those two missing, the Browns have been good on the outside with Terrance Mitchell as the No. 2 cornerback, but the slot corner has been a problem spot. Tavierre Thomas has been the primary slot corner and that has not gone well. He is a special teams level talent who should not be playing on the defensive side of the ball. But with Williams and Johnson missing, Thomas has had to step in.
So, getting Williams and Johnson back will immediately add the depth back up at cornerback. With Denzel Ward and Mitchell playing well, the Browns will have a nice decision to make is deciding who will take the snaps at slot corner and the No. 2 corner spot between Mitchell, Williams, and Johnson. Cleveland could move those three all around the defense in different roles, giving the defense more talent to utilize. Getting Williams and Johnson back are the two biggest additions the Browns could get this week.
Now, the defense will not be saved by these three players, but it gets the defense to fuller strength. It allows defensive coordinator Joe Woods to be able to do more things on defense given the increase in talent is would be getting. The defense should see a good amount of improvement as the unit gets these three back and the unit continues to gel together and learn Woods’ defense.
