NFL combine 2025 | Defensive prospects fitting Browns needs, led by elite pass rush help

Posted by author February 19, 2025 NFL

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The biggest pre-draft event on the NFL calendar starts in just over a week.

The NFL scouting combine will take place from next Monday through March 3 in Indianapolis. There have been 329 prospects invited to participate, and they’ll meet with individual teams and go through a medical exam while doing the usual array of on-field drills and tests.

The Browns arrive in Indianapolis with a first-round pick for the first time since 2021. Not only do they have that first-round pick, they’re going to be picking No. 2 overall after a 3-14 season.

That’s one of nine picks the Browns have before the awarding of compensatory picks for losses in the 2024 free agent class. Cleveland is projected to add three picks, giving it 12 total.

Today continues a three-part preview of the combine. This part looks at five intriguing defensive prospects who will be in Indianapolis and fit the Browns’ needs, not just for the No. 2 overall pick.

On Monday, we looked the offensive side of the ball for five prospects. On Friday, then, it’ll be a look at five overall storylines to watch in Indianapolis.

For now, let’s look at five defensive prospects, listed alphabetically:

Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

If there’s any doubt about any of the quarterbacks at No. 2, and Carter is available, the Browns should run this pick up to Commissioner Roger Goodell. That’s regardless of whether or not Cleveland acquiesces to Myles Garrett’s trade demand. The Browns need more help with their pass rush, even with Garrett still on the roster. Carter isn’t Garrett by any stretch. However, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound former Nittany Lion has an elite ability to get off the edge and get to the quarterback. There’s few who believe any of the this year’s quarterback draft class are certain to be elite at the next level. There’s few who believe Carter doesn’t have a good chance to be just that.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky

A year ago, the Browns used a sixth-round pick on an older SEC linebacker who simply made plays in Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson. Dumas-Johnson is very much in a similar mold, right down to the day-three range where he’d ultimately fall. While he played this past season at Kentucky, he was a multi-year starter for national-championship Georgia teams. The 6-foot, 246-pound linebacker has been strong in his career against the run, while able to shed the blocks of tight ends and offensive linemen. Dumas-Johnson has also been strong in zone pass coverage. He does lack a bit of the natural athleticism the Browns may look for in the position, which is why the combine will be critical for him.

Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

Hunter is the single most intriguing prospect in the draft. Full stop. The Heisman Trophy winner was listed as a defensive back on the official list of prospects attending the combine. However, that’s only half of what Hunter is as a football player. There’s no doubt that there will be plenty of teams also intrigued by him as a wide receiver. That’s what makes Hunter so intriguing. Whether a team sees Hunter as a cornerback or a wide receiver, there also should be a plan for utilizing his ability at the other position as well. He’s proven to be a playmaker at both spots. A playmaker is what the Browns need.

Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M

The bulk of the Browns’ defensive tackle group is either 30-somethings or injury-prone. Cleveland has desperately needed an influx of young defensive tackles for years. The Browns thought they added one, and they may have, last April with Mike Hall Jr. It would be a surprise if they didn’t try to do so again this year, especially with the amount of picks they have in this draft. Turner would project in the day-two range, where the Browns currently have three picks. The biggest knock against the former Aggie is being overaggressive. That’s something that, one would hope, could at least be corralled when he gets to the NFL. There’s worst things one would want out of someone fighting in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball than a little aggressiveness.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

The Browns’ safety position has been severely lacking in productivity, save for a strong December at the end of 2022 and a solid 2023 pre-injury out of Grant Delpit. That is a position of extreme need for the team this offseason, regardless of whatever decision they make on Juan Thornhill’s future with them. That’s where the 6-foot 203-pound Watts comes into the picture. A former offensive player who initially transitioned to a rover/linebacker position, he has since matriculated into more of a free safety role and has thrived. Watts had 13 interceptions and no touchdown catches allowed in his final two seasons. The Browns certainly will want to check the athletic traits and see if they align with their guardrails, but the playmaking ability would align with any team’s.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ