The Browns’ defense looked a lot closer to the version Cleveland wants this week, and the biggest shift seemed to be in how the group was deployed. There was more man coverage, more pressure, and more times the rush actually finished the job. Tampa Bay also didn’t execute nearly as cleanly as Jacksonville had, but the result was still a much better defensive showing overall.
It wasn’t perfect, and there’s still plenty to clean up. But for one week, it was a welcome change to see a coaching staff willing to adjust instead of digging in and refusing to budge.
That kind of stubbornness has worn on Browns fans for years, and even Jim Schwartz has drawn that complaint at times. The bigger question now is simple: does it stick?
Up front, Mason Graham kept building on a strong start. He posted his second straight solid outing, and the production matched the eye test.
Graham finished with a sack, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, and a 70.7 PFF grade. Through two weeks, he’s looked like a steady problem for opposing offenses.
Isaiah McGuire also had one of the more encouraging performances of the day. He was active, productive, and graded out at 71.0 by PFF.
He even showed up in coverage once. Derek Barnett continued to give Cleveland useful veteran depth, while Maliek Collins returned to starter-level snaps.
Adin Huntington, meanwhile, saw his workload shrink after the previous week, something that had been easy to see coming. Both Collins and Huntington still had rough grades, so that rotation will be worth watching moving forward.
Jared Verse recorded his first quarterback hit for Cleveland and played better than he did in Week 1, but he still hasn’t fully tapped into the upside he flashed with the Rams. Sam Williams and Mike Hall also had quieter days, with Hall not registering a stat.
The real difference-maker for Cleveland came at cornerback. Denzel Ward played every snap and forced a fumble, while Myles Harden had the kind of game that can change a depth chart conversation.
Harden picked off his first career pass, broke up two more, and earned a team-high 90.6 grade from PFF. Ward was right there behind him at 90.4.
Tyson Campbell also played through injury and had to leave a couple of times, but he still chipped in with five combined tackles and a tackle for loss.
Behind that top trio, the Browns may still be looking for answers. Mekhi Blackmon and Noah Igbinoghene saw limited snaps, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Cleveland keeps searching for help in that group. Michael Coats could be a name to watch if the Browns decide to make another move.
At safety, Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman were on the field for nearly every snap and both found their way into the backfield. Delpit had five tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit.
Hickman added three combined tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit of his own. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren logged 10 snaps and did not record a stat.
In Other News...
Todd Monken Sends Clear Message After Browns Silence Early Doubts
After the Browns steadied things with a Week 2 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Todd Monken had little interest in letting one rough opening act define the conversation around his team. The Cleveland coach went back to the criticism that followed the Week 1 loss, and he framed it around a remark from former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, using it as a springboard to address the early doubts head-on.
Monken did not dispute that the Browns were poor in the opener, but he pushed back on the idea that it should become the team's identity. His message was simple enough: the only real way to change the public view is to play better, and the Browns have already shown they are trying to do exactly that. Tomlin later answered with a little humor of his own, adding another layer to a storyline that has quickly moved beyond one bad Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Have Found Something Big In Their Rookie O-Line
The Browns left Tampa with a 23-19 win, and one of the most encouraging developments came up front, where rookie tackles Spencer Fano and Austin Barber helped steady an offensive line that was under pressure in a tight game. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, neither rookie allowed a pressure, a strong early sign for a unit that has leaned on youth and had to adjust quickly. Fano, the Browns 2026 first-round pick, has already flashed the kind of upside that made him a premium selection, while Barber has stepped into a starting role because of an injury and handled the assignment well.
Todd Monken has been quick to praise both players for the way they have contributed through the first two games, and it is easy to see why the Browns are paying attention. For a team trying to build stability at the line of scrimmage, getting reliable play from two rookies this early matters, especially when one arrived with first-round expectations and the other had to seize an opportunity the hard way. If this level of play holds, Cleveland may have uncovered a lot more than just a promising spot start. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie Is Forcing A Bigger Question About Clevelands Passing Game
Denzel Boston has quickly given the Browns something they have been searching for at receiver: a young target who can win with size, strength and a steady physical edge. In his first two games, he has already topped 50 receiving yards and found the end zone once, production that fits the kind of role Todd Monken once helped carve out for Mike Evans in Tampa Bay.
The comparison matters because Cleveland still has bigger questions at quarterback and in the broader passing game, but Boston is making it harder to treat the receiver room as a secondary issue. If he keeps showing he can be a consistent, high-end pass catcher early in his career, the Browns may have to think more seriously about how much more is possible through the air, regardless of who is delivering the ball. [Read more 🡒]