BEREA, Ohio -- On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns took the field for their first day of this week's three-day minicamp.
What follows is a look at how the Browns' unofficial defensive depth chart appeared based on personnel groupings, as well as some thoughts on the pecking order of each group.
Defensive line
First-team
DE - Myles Garrett
DE - Olivier Vernon
DT - Larry Ogunjobi
DT - Sheldon Richardson
Second-team
DE - Genard Avery
DE - Anthony Zettel
DT - Trevon Coley
DT - Daniel Ekuale
Third-team
DE - Chris Smith
DE - Wyatt Ray/Chad Thomas
DT - Brian Price
DT - Carl Davis
The Gerald McCoy-less first-team was as expected with lots of rotation occurring between the second and third teams. Second-year linebacker Genard Avery appeared to be working exclusively as a pass-rusher, although that may have been a result of the defense primarily playing nickel packages throughout the day.
Linebacker
First-team
OLB - Christian Kirksey
MLB - Joe Schobert
OLB - Adarius Taylor
Second-team
OLB - Mack Wilson
MLB - Sione Takitaki
OLB - Ray-Ray Armstrong
This was the most difficult position group to determine a pecking order for with the team rarely playing three-linebacker sets. When it did, it was the free agent signee, Taylor, taking first-team reps alongside returning starters Schobert and Kirksey.
The two linebackers the Browns drafted, Takitaki and Wilson, each received ample playing time as well. But between the formations and rotations, it was difficult to decipher who was playing where.
Cornerback
First-team
- Denzel Ward
- Greedy Williams
- T.J. Carrie (NB)
Second-team
- Terrance Mitchell
- Lenzy Pipkins
- Phillip Gaines (NB)
Third-team
- Robert Jackson
- Jhavonte Dean
- Tavierre Thomas (NB)
As appeared to be the case at OTAs last week, the second-round pick Williams appears to have firmly entrenched himself as the starter opposite Ward, bumping Mitchell to the second-team. Quality depth, otherwise, appears to be an issue, although Carrie -- who started at nickel back -- possesses the ability to also play outside if need be.
Safety
First-team
- Damarious Randall
- Jermaine Whitehead
Second-team
- Sheldrick Redwine
- Eric Murray
Third-team
- Tigie Sankoh
- J.T. Hassell
Free agent signee Morgan Burnett didn't practice Tuesday and his eventual presence -- presumably in the starting lineup -- could create some shifting at both safety and nickel. That rings especially true for both Whitehead and Murray, who have each been praised for their versatility.
