Five Browns players who could return defense back to the elite in 2025
Rebuilding the Defenses in 2025: The Case for Five Browns Players Returning to Elite DefenseIn the world of NFL football, it’s no secret that teams are always working hard to rebuild their defenses and improve their rosters. In this particular case, we’ll focus on the Cleveland Browns as they look to address one of the biggest challenges in their current season: benching the five top draft picks and bringing in talent from the league’s depth to compete for a spot as an elite defense.
Key Highlights
The Cleveland Browns’ current defensive line is far from elite, but with strategic moves, they have the potential to become one. They need to address several key areas of their defense: improving the offensive line, enhancing play on the ground, and redefining how they approach formations that rely heavily on running plays. The five benched players—Devin Smith, David Johnson, Robert Tuahtupe, Robert O’Conner, and Keon Fossey—are exceptional, with solid stats in 2023-24 season.
Current Defenses in Action
In 2023-24 season, the Browns’ defense was struggling to find their best spots. They struggled on the offensive line, often finding holes that other teams exploited. On the ground, they were missing key players like Robert Tuahtupe and Keon Fossey, who had never rushed for a touchdown or had been inconsistent in stopping opposing running backs and wide receivers.
The Need to Rebuild
The Browns’ current defensive line is not elite, but they have big shoes to get into. As the 2025 season approaches, Cleveland needs to address several key issues:
1. Depth on the Line: The five benched players are exceptional, and their departure frees up positions for new talent. The Browns could bring in depth from the league’s top performers, such as Deane Brown (R) and J.J. Sosa (T), who have shown promise as running backs and tight ends respectively.
2. Improved Offensive Line: The team needs to address its struggles on the offensive line. With players like Robert Smith moving up to the edge-of-line, they can improve coverage and limit teams that rely on them for scoring.
3. Rebuilding Play on the Ground: The Browns’ ground game is still inconsistent, but with benching top talent and acquiring depth through new signings or re-signings, they could become a better asset on the field.
Why Benching Them Makes Sense
It’s not just about replacing players; it’s about rebuilding. The five benched players are proven, reliable, and have the potential to make an impact when called up. Returning them can give the Browns more flexibility, allow for depth, and set a standard for future defenses on how to rebuild their lines.
Why They’re Rebuilding as 2025 Approaches
Cleveland needs to move beyond benching the top players and address the needs of its defense. The team has enough talent in the league to challenge others, but they need a plan that can elevate themselves and make an impact on the field. The idea is to not just replace, but to upgrade the game.
Conclusion
The Cleveland Browns are at a great position to rebuild their defenses as elite this season. With benching the top players and acquiring depth through new talent or re-signings, the team can create a strong, capable defense. It’s about building on existing strengths—like the running game and tight end stats—and creating a lineup that can compete for a better future. Let's see if they can take the next step in this league.
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