One of the most impressive things thus far in the 2023 NFL regular season has been the performance of the Cleveland Browns defense. It was a weakness for the team in 2022, as they couldn’t hold onto and protect leads. But, that isn’t the case this year.
Cleveland has one of the most dominant defensive units in the NFL through Week 7. Their success on that side of the ball has been buoyed by a truly dominant pass rush. They currently have the No. 1 graded pass rush in the NFL with an elite 90.5 per PFF.
Leading the way is Myles Garrett, the No. 1 graded edge defender in the NFL with an overall grade of 93.4. His pass-rushing grade of 95.0 is also No. 1 in the league. He isn’t alone in his pursuit of the quarterback, as Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason, ranks 33rd overall and 15th in pass rushing grade.
With those two as bookends to Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst and Jordan Elliott, ranked 22nd, 13th, 53rd and 101st amongst interior defenders, the Browns have arguably the most disruptive defensive line in the NFL. But, if there is one thing that teams can never have too much of, it is pass rushers.
Despite their excellent grades, Garrett has 7.5 of the team’s 19 sacks on the season. Bringing in another player that can get after the quarterback certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea. Brad Spielberger of PFF shared who he believes would make a perfect fit; Denico Autry of the Tennessee Titans.
“Autry reunites with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who served as a senior defensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans the past two seasons, which just so happened to align with the two most productive seasons of Autry’s lengthy career. Autry racked up 61 quarterback pressures, 11 sacks and a 69.7 pass-rush grade in 2021 — all career highs. He followed that up with a 75.0 pass-rush grade and a 13.9% pressure rate in 2022, also career highs. Autry has been a model of consistency, with at least 550 snaps and 30 quarterback pressures in six consecutive seasons, and he’s up to 18 pressures and four sacks already in 2023.
Cleveland’s overhauled defensive line has been an absolute terror for opposing offenses all season long, but another chess piece who can rush from between the tackles and out wide will allow Schwartz to continue to move players around in various alignments and keep everyone fresh throughout the season.”
What could a trade between Cleveland and Tennessee look like? Spielberger suggested the Browns send a 2024 sixth-round pick (via the Baltimore Ravens) and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for Autry and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
On an expiring contract, Autry shouldn’t be overly expensive to acquire. The Titans, who are set to play in Week 8 without Ryan Tannehill, could be ready to sell after trading Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week. That presents an excellent opportunity for the Browns to strike, bolstering their pass rusher for the second half of the season.
The familiarity that Autry has played in the scheme of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would make for an easy transition to the Browns. Not only that, Autry has a track record of succeeding while playing under Schwartz from their time on the Titans together.
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