With the future of newly acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson still up in the air, as a decision revolving around a potential suspension gets closer, the focus turns to key battles at Cleveland Browns training camp.
BetOhio.com used Google Trends to get a read on the top three most searched Browns’ position groups over the past 30 days when it comes to training camp battles, and defensive tackle was the choice. Positions with obvious starters were eliminated.
After determining the top position group, BetOhio.com used Google Trends to find out how much each player in that position group was being searched over the past week.
Browns Most Searched Position Battles
- Defensive tackles
- Centers
- Cornerbacks
Pro Football Focus also has the defensive tackle position as the team’s weakest link, so fans who are searching online are onto something. Do the Browns have a line that can play stout and stop the run? They certainly don’t have much when you look at premium rushers, like an Aaron Donald.
The Browns will roll by committee at this position, as defensive coordinator Joe Woods will rotate his linemen. Whether they get sunk by teams running through them at will is a whole other question.
Here’s a further breakdown of the defensive tackle battle and where the Browns stand with Ohio sportsbooks. The state is on track to launch sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023.
Interest of Each Player in Ohio
High Hopes for 4th Round Pick
One of the things Browns General Manager Andrew Berry did was draft Perrion Winfrey of Oklahoma in the fourth round (No. 108 overall) this year. At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, with 35¼ inch arms (4.89 in the 40-yard dash), scouts liked his explosive hips off the snap, his power to move a blocker, plus the fact he keeps working through the whistle.
He’s also late off the ball too frequently, and his lateral agility was highlighted as a weakness. But he also has heavy hands, and he has the body type.
Taven Bryan, at 6-foot-5, 291 pounds, was signed as a free agent on a one-year deal, after playing last season with the abysmal Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s a former first round pick (29th overall, in 2018) and was kind of a below-the-radar signing, someone the Browns are taking a flyer on. He was a key piece of the Jaguars defensive tackle rotation, and has 85 tackles, 5.5 career sacks, and 15 tackles for a loss over his career.
Previous Draft Picks Add Depth
Tommy Togiai, chosen in the fourth round in 2021 (No. 132 overall), is 6-foot-2, 296 pounds. Jordan Elliott, a third-round choice in 2020, is 6-foot-4, 303 pounds. They help round things out at the position. Togiai had seven solo tackles and half a sack in 2021. Some think he can make a leap this year. He didn’t play the first nine games last season. Elliott had 10 solo tackles, half a sack and four quarterback hits in 2021.
On Elliott, defensive line coach Chris Kiffin is already on record talking about how Elliott is bigger, faster and stronger coming into camp. So they expect him to step in as a good run defender. He hasn’t yet built on an impressive college career at Missouri where he was named First Team All-SEC.
Sheldon Day is 6-foot-1, 293 pounds, and is someone to keep an eye on for the Browns, maybe as a starter. He had more playing time than the Browns’ starters at the position over the last five games of 2021 and finished with 14 tackles (five solo) and half a sack.
The Browns, having made the trade for Watson, are +3000 to win the Super Bowl and +1600 to win the AFC at BetMGM Ohio. The Browns are +300 to win the AFC North, trailing the Ravens and Bengals.
But Ohio betting apps will be waiting to see the league’s decision about Watson. A lot hinges on it for the Browns.
Super Bowl Odds
