The Browns’ first line on the defensive side of the ball would stand up firm against many of the best defenses in the league.
In a vacuum, if you were to put the best 11 on the field, it would look something like this:
To get that 11 on the field at once, the Browns would have to play what’s known as a 4-2-5 Stack defense, which basically boils down to a 4-3 where one of your safeties plays the “star” or “adjuster” position.
Only certain teams can run a defense like this, and it is all based on personnel. If you have a guy like Grant Delpit, Derwin James, or Brian Branch who can play both in coverage and are big enough to play the run game, too.
It is certainly a risk, but it allows a team to put their most athletic players on the field and hopefully gain an advantage in the pass game while not sacrificing too much in the run game.
A package like this is more specific to down, distance, and situation. It is too risky to employ this type of package as a “base” scheme because it is a bit easier to manipulate with formation and gain major advantages in the run game.
In a base scheme, you’d likely see an additional linebacker in for a base package that matches the personnel that the other team is coming out in.
You would see this scheme on a 3rd and 8, or a 2nd and 15, where a team is guessing that it is a passing down and they want their 11 best on the field. Furthermore, the situation can then also dictate what the pass rushers can do. It is situations like that where a guy like Jared Verse can pin his ears back and attack an offensive tackle and get to a quarterback.
If these guys stay healthy, this group of players is a very formidable bunch. That’s a major “if,” but it is enough for Browns’ fans to be excited about when we get into a sesaon that may not see a lot of great Sundays.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns’ first string defense will be exciting, if healthy, in 2026
Reporting by Anthony Moeglin, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Anthony Moeglin, Browns Wire | USA TODAY Network
