The Browns gave up a giant piece of their defense when they sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1, but the move was made with the bigger picture in mind. Cleveland lost a proven game-wrecker, yet the trade also brought back Jared Verse, a player already mentioned among the NFL’s next elite pass rushers.
That’s what makes the current outlook so notable for Andrew Berry. Even after moving Garrett, the Browns’ defensive line is still being talked about as one of the team’s best traits heading into 2026.
Bleacher Report’s Kris Knox sees a front that can still cause problems, built around Verse, Mason Graham and Alex Wright.
“Cleveland got two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse back in the Garrett deal, and it still has the bulk of last year's rotation-including Mason Graham, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, and Maliek Collins-though Collins is opening camp on the PUP list,” Knox wrote. “The Browns' defensive line won't wreak as much havoc as it did with Garrett leading the charge, but it'll still be a unit that opposing teams will have to game plan for.”
That kind of respect matters because Cleveland’s route back to contention runs straight through the trenches. The Browns are also making major changes up front on offense, and they’re set to open training camp this week with an entirely new starting offensive line. With Berry’s history of uneven drafting and development at those spots, the early returns from rookies Spencer Fano, Austin Barber and Parker Brailsford will be under the microscope.
The same pressure applies on defense, where Verse and Graham are expected to anchor the next phase. Verse should handle the edge work, while Graham gives the Browns a building block inside. Wright and Isaiah McGuire remain part of the mix, too, giving the unit more young talent than just the two headliners.
There are still holes to patch. Cleveland may need undrafted rookie Logan Fano, Spencer’s older brother, to serve as the fourth edge rusher. Inside, the Browns don’t have much proven depth behind Graham and Maliek Collins, though Mike Hall Jr. and Adin Huntington could make a push this summer.
Still, the Garrett deal left Cleveland with real draft capital to work with. The Browns now own two first-round picks in 2027 and 11 selections overall, giving Berry the ammunition to address the weak spots. If the defensive line holds up in 2026 without Garrett, the roster as a whole will be in strong shape.
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These Browns Rookies Enter Camp With Almost No Margin For Error
The Browns are already getting a head start on summer camp with rookies reporting early, and this draft class arrives with more than the usual amount of pressure attached. Several newcomers are stepping into open competitions right away, from wideouts Jaxon Concepcion and Denzel Boston to center Brailsford, tight end Royer and quarterback Green, all of them trying to turn a strong first impression into a real role before the pads even come on.
For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: these are the kinds of young players who can change the shape of the roster if they hit quickly, but camp is also where the margin for error shrinks fast. The coaching staff and front office will spend the next several weeks sorting out who can handle the jump from draft pick to contributor, and for a few of these rookies, simply keeping pace may be the first test that matters. [Read more 🡒]