Cleveland’s defense tried to hold strong, but six starters were absent.
Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
- DL: We got a healthy dose of Sam Kamara in the final game, as he played 90% of the snaps. The Browns’ defensive line helped hold Derrick Henry in check in the first half, but it fell apart in the second half, seemingly around the time when Michael Hall went down with a knee injury. Myles Garrett didn’t notch a sack in his final regular season game of the year. The rest of the defensive line reps were spread out.
- LB: With the veteran linebackers out, the Browns went with their youth: a second-year player (Mohamoud Diabate playing 91% of the snaps) and two rookies (Winston Reid at 76% and Nathaniel Watson at 47%).
- CB: Cleveland was low on your typical cornerback reps. Cameron Mitchell played 83% of the snaps, but Mike Ford (49%) and Martin Emerson (47%) didn’t go above half of the snaps.
- S: It was good to see Grant Delpit get through a season healthy, but it also seemed like a subpar season for him; remember the beginning of last year, when it seemed like he was suddenly an All-Pro player? Delpit had tight coverage twice on tight end Mark Andrews, but the veteran tight end still hauled in two nice passes, including a touchdown. Rodney McLeod played his final NFL game, and next season, I don’t expect a rotation between Juan Thornhill and Ronnie Hickman. Either Thornhill will be gone, or a new safety will be in place altogether.