It has been a historic start to the season for the Cleveland Browns and their defense, who have thrived under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The rebuilt defensive line has been exceptional and elevated both the linebackers and the defensive backs. With the defensive line eating blocks Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been all over the field showing the freak athlete he is game after game. It doesn’t take long when watch this defense to see that they play fast, aggressive, and smart.
They have been smothering in man coverage with Martin Emerson Jr. taking a big step forward in his second season.
It truly has been fun to watch this defense play and they went up against one of the NFL’s most potent offenses this year and held them under 20 points. Let’s take a look at the 10 players that stood out the most against the 49ers according to PFF and how they graded those players.
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Overall: 89.8
Run Defense: 65.3
Coverage: 90.3
DE Alex Wright
Overall: 73.4
Pass Rush: 53.5
Run Defense: 66.1
DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Overall: 72.9
Run Defense: 58.4
Pass Rush: 78.6
DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
Overall: 71.7
Pass Rush: 63.8
Run Defense: 69.9
S Juan Thornhill
Overall: 70.9
Coverage: 70.3
Run Defense: 58.7
DE Myles Garrett
Overall: 66.3
Pass Rush: 74.9
Run Blocking: 69.1
DT Maurice Hurst
Overall: 59.7
Pass Rush: 57.7
Run Defense: 60.5
CB Denzel Ward
Overall: 54.5
Coverage: 52.0
Run Defense: 65.1
CB Martin Emerson Jr.
Overall: 54.1
Coverage: 51.2
Run Defense: 64.6
S Rodney McLeod
Overall: 54.1
Coverage: 54.9
Run Defense: 57.2
