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Browns Defense

Sleeper potential after raiding Rams secondary

The Cleveland Browns haven't been big players in free agency, but they did make a couple of nice signings, I think. Both on the defensive side of the ball, both from the Los Angeles Rams. Both in an area of need, too.

Cleveland had 11 interceptions last year, a below-average total. So they've remade their secondary with safety John Johnson (pictured; 3 years, $34 million) and cornerback Troy Hill (2 years, $9 million). Both were starters for a Rams defense that's been one of the best in the league in that regard with those players in the lineup.

As starters for most of the last four seasons, Johnson and Hill have each recorded 7-8 interceptions. That's helped the Rams put up 63 total, nearly 16 per season. In that timeframe, only New England (helped by recording 25 in 2019) has more interceptions. Cleveland was a below-average 18th over those four years.

TEAM INTERCEPTIONS, 2017-2020
Team'17'18'19'20Tot
New England1218251873
LA Rams1818131463
Kansas City1615161663
Buffalo1816141563
New Orleans2012131863
Pittsburgh168201862
Miami921131861
Washington1615131660
Indianapolis1315151558
Minnesota1412171558
Baltimore2212131057
Seattle1412161456
Chicago827101055
LA Chargers1813111254
Jacksonville2111101254
Tennessee1211141552
NY Giants1316101150
Cleveland717141149
Tampa Bay139121549
Philadelphia191011848
Atlanta815121247
Denver1017101047
Green Bay117171146
NY Jets1113121046
Cincinnati1112111145
Carolina101314744
Houston111512341
Arizona15771140
Detroit1977740
Las Vegas51491038
San Francisco102121236
Dallas10971036

The Browns have ranked average to slightly below-average in sacks in those years; they can stand to get better in that regard, as well. But better coverage and more playmaking ability in the secondary should help. I'm not sure the Browns will have a top-12 fantasy defense, but they'll be improved. The Rams, paying a price defensively (I think) for the cap hit they took from trading away Jared Goff, probably won't be as good.

--Andy Richardson

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