The Cleveland Browns were a team with a ton of needs after last season. Two seasons in a row, the team lost a lot of games. So, changes were in order.
There is a new head coach, and a staff of almost new guys on the coaching staff. Next up – the roster.
RELATED: GRADING THE OFFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
Browns GM Andrew Berry has been busy during the offseason, including the free agency period. To date, Berry has exercised one trade and has signed an additional 14 new or re-signed players.
The breakdown of that number is five athletes on offense, two on special teams, and eight on defense. And there will be more signings, but this is just the list after the first wave of free agent signings has settled down.
The second wave will be players whose agents have lowered their financial numbers, guys who have been negotiating with numerous clubs and have been undecided so far, and athletes who have been passed over and are just now getting calls from NFL GMs as team needs begin to dwindle.
The big questions remain: Will the 2026 version of the Browns improve? Has every major need been covered? What will each new free agent offer the roster?
Defense
The Browns’ defense last year ranked #4, with the pass defense ranked #3. On the surface, one might think that this group doesn’t need much. In fact, perhaps nothing at all. Just run it back might be the attitude.
But several key starters are suddenly on the free agent list, and so unforeseen cavities popped up. The linebacker room comes to mind, where Devin Bush and Mohamoud Diabate played quite a bit and were relied upon. Plus, news that JOK will probably never return. Safety Ronnie Hickman is still unsigned, but Berry tendered him so he may – or may not – return. Another hole.
DT Shelby Harris is still unsigned as an unrestricted free agent. Will he be re-signed? We do know that DT Michael Hall hasn’t performed well, so perhaps quite another chasm? And M.J. Emerson is now a free agent. The pit just seems to widen as he would have provided this defense with three capable man-coverage athletes.
How do Berry’s signings for the 2026 version of the Browns defense rank?
DT Kalia Davis (6’-2” 310 pounds)
Grade: C+
The Browns needed a guy to come in to compete with Maliek Collins for the starting DT job opposite Mason Graham. Great guy for the rotation of defensive tackles. He has played in 33 NFL games with 17 starts, 41 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, three batted passes, three QB hits, 1 interception, 2 hurries, 1 knockdown, 1.5 sacks, and 3 missed tackles. Suddenly, Cleveland has a fourth starting-caliber guy in the DT room.
In today’s NFL, a club must have four defensive tackles to rotate in and out all game to keep them fresh for the fourth quarter. Browns head coach Todd Monken wants to dominate the trenches, and that takes able-bodied men. He has had his share of injuries, which is a concern. When healthy, Davis will flash short-area quickness with an explosive burst. He has good strength, but has limits due to his marginal arm length. He lacks violent hands and doesn’t shed blockers as he should. But Davis will play with good leverage despite average bulk.
DE A.J. Epenesa (6’-6”, 260 pounds)
Grade: B-
The defensive end spot lost one of the backups when Cameron Thomas left in free agency. Four defensive ends are usually needed per game to give the two outside starters a blow occasionally during each game. Epenesa is one of those bench players and should provide adequate depth behind All-World Myles Garrett. Currently, Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright man the other DE spot.
Last year with the Buffalo Bills, Epenesa played in 16 games and had two starts with 32 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 9 QB hits, and 12 pressures, among other stats. In three seasons, he has had six sacks or more, with 24 career sacks, so he can get into the offensive backfield. But keep in mind, this is a depth signing.
DE Julian Okwara (6’-4”, 239 pounds)
Grade: D+
One of the few players that Berry has re-signed from last year. Another depth player. Traditionally, the Browns have kept four DTs and five defensive ends, with Okwara looking like the final guy on the depth chart.
Okwara is either the final roster spot in the DE room or a practice squad member, which he has been placed there before. For now, however, Okwara is slated to get rotational snaps.
DE Sam Kamara (6’-2”, 272 pounds)
Grade: C-
Kamara has had a revolving door associated with the Browns. He has been on the practice squad numerous times, brought up to the main roster, signed to a reserve/futures contract, and has been released five times. He will compete for a depth position either in the DT room or play outside.
He has played in 26 NFL games with two starts and will compete for the defensive line rotation.
LB Quincy Williams (5’-11”, 230 pounds)
Grade: B
Definitely Devin Bush’s replacement, for cheap. Played for DC Mike Rutenberg before and was named All-Pro that season. Has four seasons with 100+ tackles, and is a fast guy. Should be motivated when he gets into the LB room for Cleveland. Williams was the sign of dependable defense for the New York Jets for the past five years.
Needs to improve on his coverage of tight ends, which is his weakness. Last year wasn’t his greatest, and he was benched at some point temporarily, but he remained the best linebacker on New York’s defense, although he isn’t that athletic. 613 total tackles in seven seasons is a huge plus. His ranking would have been a grade higher if he hadn’t had issues last year. Was this a one-off, or things to come?
CB Tre Avery (5’-11”, 185 pounds)
Grade: C+
Another player that Berry has re-signed from last year. Played in 10 games last year with zero starts, with most of his time on special teams, playing 42% of ST snaps. Every team needs good ST players, so the signing makes sense. He does add depth to the cornerback room, but would only get snaps at dime.
He plays primarily on the punt coverage and punt return units. Had a good season on ST for Cleveland last year with a 55.9 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade.
CB D’Angelo Ross (5’-9”, 190 pounds)
Grade: D-
A player who has some potential but has been relegated to the practice squad of several NFL clubs, including Cleveland. Browns are his fourth team. More depth for the CB room.
Ross has played in 36 NFL games in four seasons with just three starts. He has the distinction of being the only NFL player who has returned a blocked PAT for a defensive two-point conversion in a playoff game while with the Houston Texans.
S Daniel Thomas (5’-10”, 215 pounds)
Grade: B+
Thomas offers versatility in that he can play several positions. He is also well-known for being an exceptional ST player. His PFF grade last year was a healthy 75.8. He comes to the Browns with a two-year deal, so he is expected to make some changes within the defense.
Several years ago, Cleveland had a bevy of ST-caliber players such as Mike Ford, Matthew Adams, and Jordan Kunaszyk, but had gotten away from ST specialists for tackling purposes. This is an ST signing. Thomas has played 1,417 ST snaps since entering the league in 2020. He is able to play some defense as a box or free safety when needed, but he gets after it on ST.
How would you grade Berry’s free agent moves on defense?
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