The Browns’ pass-rush situation has been messy for a while, and it only got more complicated after Alex Wright’s season-ending Achilles injury. Even before that, Cleveland had already watched a few plans fall apart, from the failed push to sign A.J. Epenesa after a physical issue to the unsuccessful attempts to bring back Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith.
But Mike Hall Jr. may be the one player who can help steady things.
Hall has been getting work on the edge, even though the Browns drafted him as a defensive tackle, and he sounds ready for whatever role they need. “I played a little bit of end in college.
It’s something new, but I’ll do whatever it takes to be out there for the team," Hall said. "Wherever they feel comfortable putting me at, I have no problem with playing as long as I’m causing havoc in the backfield.”
He added that the move does come with a learning curve. The biggest difference, Hall said, is that he’s not as close to the quarterback as he is when he lines up inside. Beyond that, he believes his skill set can translate either way.
Head coach Todd Monken gave a similar answer when asked whether Hall could see time off the edge. With the Browns’ current pass-rushing depth, that may be more necessity than experiment.
Hall’s career has not yet matched the hype that followed him into the league as a former Ohio State standout and second-round pick. Injuries have played a part in that, and he still hasn’t become the disruptive force Cleveland hoped for.
Still, there’s time for that to change. If Hall can stay healthy and handle work at both spots, he could help the Browns in a way they clearly need.
That matters especially with Isaiah McGuire more of a run stopper at starting edge, leaving room for Hall to give defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg another large body opposite Jared Verse in obvious passing situations, at least as a rotational piece.
Hall has only 2.5 sacks in his career so far, but the Browns may be hoping this is the kind of move that unlocks more production than they’ve seen to this point.
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Afterward, coach Todd Monken pushed back on the idea that the loss should fall on Watson alone and said the Browns would evaluate everything moving forward. What Monken did not do was give Watson a clear runway to the next game against the Buccaneers, leaving the quarterback situation open for now. For a Browns team trying to stabilize an offense that has already been through so much, that silence may be just as important as the performance itself. [Read more 🡒]
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Browns Suddenly Have A Backfield Question Behind Quinshon Judkins
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McLaughlin brings a different look to the offense after spending time with the Denver Broncos, and his smaller frame has not kept him from showing real rushing ability. His style also fits the idea of a complementary piece, which is why his name is now moving to the front of the conversation as Cleveland sorts out the touches behind Judkins. [Read more 🡒]