Over the next many weeks, I will be reviewing and discussing the performance of the 2014 Cleveland Browns position by position. It was a tough season for the Cleveland Browns, falling in five straight games to end the season at 7-9. The team showed some glimpses of promise and some other areas of concern. So lets get to it, starting with the defensive line.

Coming into the 2014 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns defensive line was touted as a strength by many, including me. But as the season went on, it became clear that it was actually one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. Injuries throughout the season was a factor in the below average play, but an overall lack of talent was the biggest reason for one of the Browns’ biggest weaknesses. The team went through a lot of players on the defensive line because of the injuries, but never really could find a good group who could produce on a consistent basis.

So let’s take a look at the individuals who made up the defensive line for the 2014 Cleveland Browns.

Desmond Bryant

When healthy and at the top of his game, Desmond Bryant is the best defensive lineman for the Browns. But in 2014, Bryant was inconsistent throughout the season. He had 25 solo tackles, 49 combined tackles, six sacks, three quarterback hits, and 21 quarterback hurries over 15 games this season. His size and athleticism are a special combination that can help him be a huge disrupter on the defensive line. Of all the Browns’ defensive linemen, Bryant is the best pass rusher of the bunch and showed that leading the line in sacks. Some of the inconsistency came from nagging injuries he dealt with for most of the season.

Desmond Bryant has size and ability to be the best defensive lineman on the team and a major playmaker for the defense. But he must play more consistently through all 16 games. He will be looked upon next year as a starting defensive end and a major contributor on the defensive line.

2014 Grade: C

2015 Outlook: Starting Defensive End; Major Contributor

John Hughes

John Hughes, even in his limited action, was probably the most consistent defensive lineman the Browns have at the position. The defensive end was only able to play in five total games this season, posting 14 solo tackles, 17 combined tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit, and four quarterback hurries. He was a solid performer in both pass rushing and run defense. He is a versatile lineman who can play pretty much anywhere on the line because of his good size and length. He uses his size and length to ride blocks and then get off of them to make a play. Hughes was the only defensive lineman for the Browns who received a cumulative positive grade by ProFootballFocus.com (+5.2).

I believe Hughes is a starting caliber defensive end for the Browns, given more snaps and his ability to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy, he can be a good starter for the Browns or at the very least a consistent contributor in a rotation.

2014 Grade: B

2015 Outlook: Starting defensive end; Consistent contributor

Armonty Bryant

Armonty Bryant is one of the young up-and-comers for the Browns’ defense, showing promise in limited action this season. In the 2014 season, he played in only five games before a season-ending injury, notching five solo tackles, 11 combined tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, and a quarterback hurry. Bryant is a speed rusher at the defensive end spot, using his athleticism to get past his blocker. Because of his smaller size and strength, he can often times get stuck on blocks and not be able to disengage. His athleticism makes him a unique player for the Browns’ defensive line. But his injury really stunted his development, leaving many wondering what he can become in a full season.

Bryant will be an interesting player to follow next season. He has the ability to be a playmaker for the defensive line if he can stay healthy and continue to develop. He gives the team a young player who can add depth to the line and possibly develop into a full time starter.

2014 Grade: C+

2015 Outlook: Backup defensive end; Situational contributor/develop into solid contributor

Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor was also very inconsistent during his injury-shortened season. In the 2014 season, Taylor only played in five games notching nine solo tackles, 10 combined tackles, and one quarterback hit. The defensive lineman is a versatile player who can play in any position on the line. He played a lot of the season at the defensive end position, but he might be better suited at the nose tackle spot over the center. He is a strong big man who can wreck havoc in the backfield, but is a lot of the times out of position and not in a spot to make a play. Taylor played below average for the first four games of the season, but when he came back for one game in week 10, he had a great game versus the Bengals.

Taylor will be a much talked about player this offseason. He is in line to make around $5.5 million next season, so he may be in line to be cut or traded. If the team decides to keep him, he will probably be a rotational lineman, especially if the Browns add players to the defensive line.

2014 Grade: C-

2015 Outlook: 60% chance to return; Defensive tackle/end rotational contributor

Billy Winn

Billy Winn was a solid rotational player for the Browns’ defensive line. This past season in 13 games, Winn posted 21 solo tackles, 31 combined tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits, and 13 quarterback hurries. He is a player who uses his quickness and size to get past blockers. He sometimes struggles to get off blocks, especially from bigger offensive linemen. He played all over the line this season, even playing at the nose tackle spot.

His versatility makes him a valuable backup for the Browns. He is not a starting caliber defensive lineman, but he can definitely be a solid backup, who can be a rotational contributor.

2014 Grade: C

2015 Outlook: Backup; Rotational Contributor

Ishmaa’ily Kitchen

Ishmaa’ily Kitchen is an average player who primarily played as a nose tackle. He had 16 solo tackles, 43 combined tackles, one quarterback hit, and two quarterback hurries in the 12 games he played this season. Kitchen is primarily a run defender and is limited in pass rushing. He a big, strong nose tackle who is more of gap filler rather than a player who can make a play in the backfield. He was a solid contributor this season after being thrust into an expanded role due to injuries.

Kitchen is a restricted free agent this offseason, so his future with the Browns is up in the air. I believe he will not be back because I think the team will look to fill his roster spot with linemen through the draft and free agency.

2014 Grade: C

2015 Outlook: RFA; Likely to leave in free agency

Ahtyba Rubin

Ahtyba Rubin was the biggest disappointment on the Browns’ defensive line. In the 13 games he played in during the 2014 season, he notched 23 solo tackles, 28 combined tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits, and five quarterback hurries. The defensive tackle lined up mostly over either guard or the center this season. Rubin struggled in both run defense and pass rushing all season. Prior to this season, he had been very productive in run defense, but this season he was horrible, grading out -9.6 from ProFootballFocus. He was unable to keep his ground or get solid penetration into the backfield all season, making him a big liability on the defensive line.

Rubin is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. I believe it is highly unlikely that he will back with the Browns next season. The Browns will most likely look to go in another direction.

2014 Grade: F

2015 Outlook: UFA; Highly likely to leave in free agency

Sione Fua

Sione Fua was a midseason pickup for the Browns to add more depth to the hobbled defensive line. In 11 games this season, Fua notched six solo tackles, 12 combined tackles, and one quarterback hurry. Fua was exposed in his expanded role this season, proving that he is not a consistent contributor. The defensive end does not have great size or athletic ability, so he struggles to make any ground on his blockers.

Fua is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He was a midseason pickup who really didn’t show that much to warrant a return next season. He will likely be looking for a job somewhere else next year.

2014 grade: D

2015 Outlook: UFA; Likely to leave in free agency

Other Defensive Linemen on the Roster with too little playing time: Jamie Meder, Christian Tupou, Jacobbi McDaniel, Calvin Barnett

Overview and Outlook to 2015

The Cleveland Browns’ defensive line was quite frankly horrible this season. The highest grade I gave was to John Hughes and he was only able to play in five games this season. That shows how lackluster the group was this year. There was no consistent push or penetration from the unit all year. This greatly diminished the overall defense and their ability to disrupt what the opposing offense was doing. Injuries had something to do with the below average play, but was definitely not the main reason.

The linebacker and secondary units were put into a tougher spot because of the lack of a front line. The defensive line was unable to get a pass rush, forcing the linebackers to make most of the pressure and the secondary to have to cover longer. Because of the struggling defensive line, the Browns especially struggled in defending the run. The defensive line was unable to stand their ground against the opposing offensive line, making a big hole in the run defense. There is no chance to stop a running game without getting good play out of your defensive line.

This offseason the Browns will need to greatly upgrade their defensive line. I believe the Browns need at least two or three new linemen to turn around the struggling unit. The biggest need on the line is a nose tackle or 0 technique defensive lineman. The inability to defend the middle of the line is key to the success of the line. Some of the options in the free agency are Ndamukong Suh of the Detriot Lions and Dan Williams of the Arizona Cardinals. In the draft, Danny Shelton of Washington and Eddie Goldman of Florida State are some options, too.

The Browns will also need to get a pass rushing defensive end who can put pressure on the quarterback. The defensive line does not have a true pass rusher on the roster, except for Armonty Bryant, who is still developing. Putting pressure on the quarterback will be huge for the defense and will help the entire defense improve. An option to fill this need in free agency is Jerry Hughes of Buffalo. In the draft, Shane Ray of Missouri is a possibility, too.

Overall depth will be big for the Browns to add also. The team needs to have a good rotation of players so that injuries like this year will not completely destroy the unit. But you can take it to the bank now, the Browns will do a lot of work this offseason in fixing the defensive line.

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All stats have come from ProFootballFocus.com, except for the combined tackles totals, which came from ESPN.com