Cleveland Browns face a challenge from game-destroying edge rushers in the first 4 games

Crosby has improved his game year after year and is now on the shortlist of players seeking Garrett's DPOY title. Since entering the league in 2019, Crosby has recorded 52 sacks and an incredible 124 quarterback hits. In both 2022 and 2023, Crosby led the NFL in tackles for loss, cementing his status as a defensive weapon.

Crosby has spent most of his first five seasons as the Raiders' left defensive end. This preseason, however, there has been a stronger effort to move Crosby around to create chaos. Given the Browns' problems at left tackle and David Jones Crosby is expected to be used frequently on Deshaun Watson's blind side due to his ability as a pass protector on the right side.

While edge rushers look primarily for their ability to pressure the passer, Crosby is just as adept as a run defender as he is at chasing quarterbacks. Of all the elite defensive ends the Browns will face in 2024, Crosby is the most versatile. In the desert, it will take an all-out effort to prevent “Mad” Maxx from plundering the Browns' offense.

Four-Week Edge Rusher Review

It's entirely possible that the Browns could use as many as three different players at left tackle during the first four weeks of the season. That's obviously not an ideal situation. But even if Jed Wills were fully healthy and started every game, the plan of attack would be the same given the talent and skill of the opponent.

Players like David Njoku, D'Onta Foremanand maybe even Nick Harriswill have to play a big role in protecting Deshaun Watson's blindside. There's nothing free as a left tackle in the NFL, but with the Browns' injury problems at the position and the number of spoilers they'll have to deal with in the first four games, September can't end soon enough.