Cleveland Browns 2024 training camp position group preview: Defensive tackles

BEREA — Training camp is fast approaching for the Browns.

Rookies are scheduled to report on July 22, with the veterans coming in the next day. The Browns will then head to the Greenbrier in West Virginia on July 25 for the first of seven practices over nine days there before returning to Berea for the remainder of camp.

Leading up to the start of camp, each Browns position group is getting its moment in the spotlight. Today, the defensive tackles take center stage.

For the previous position group previews, look here:

∙ Quarterbacks

∙ Running backs

∙ Tight ends

∙ Wide receivers

∙ Offensive tackles

∙ Guards

∙ Center

∙ Defensive ends

Here's a look at the Browns defensive tackles heading into training camp.

On the Cleveland Browns roster: Defensive tackles

Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst II, Quinton Jefferson, Michael Hall Jr., Jowon Briggs, Siaki Ika, Chris Williams

Projected starters: Dalvin Tomlinson and Quinton Jefferson

The way the Browns defense played a year ago showed just how important defensive tackles can be to the overall success of a defense. They added Tomlinson early in free agency last year, and the way he — and others — performed helped make defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense statistically the best in the NFL. Tomlinson, especially, was rejuvenated by the scheme. He recorded a career-high 36 pressures, per Pro Football Focus, and his three sacks were just a half-sack off his career best. This year, Jefferson was the big — 6-foot-4, 291 pounds — defensive line addition in free agency. The 31-year-old is coming off a 2023 season with the New York Jets in which he recorded a career-high six sacks, and he's had 26.5 sacks over eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders and Jets.

One to watch: Mike Hall Jr.

The Browns used their first pick in April's draft, which came in the second round, on the former Streetsboro High School and Ohio State defensive tackle. The thinking is clear on why Hall was the choice. It's a position which, while having been very productive for the Browns last season, was also much older than what the front office typically prefers. Enter Hall, who turned 21 on June 13 and who flashed tremendous potential over the previous two seasons with the Buckeyes. Now, the eyes will be upon him as he enters his first training camp while also playing for his hometown team. The good news is Hall won't be expected to necessarily be a day-one starter thanks to the other veterans in the room. However, he will be expected to make big strides so that by this time next year he's ready to take that jump.

Potential training camp battle: Siaki Ika and a roster spot

Hall was the second day-two defensive tackle the Browns have taken in as many drafts. The previous year, they used a third-round pick on Siaki Ika, whose rookie season did not go great, as he was inactive for the first 13 games. It was only after a rash of injuries along the defensive line, including to Hurst, made keeping the then-rookie on the sideline untenable that he got on the field. The question now becomes whether or not he's taken enough strides to make the front office keep him on the roster. Ika appeared much more trim while also appearing more muscular in his upper body during the offseason program. Still, there are a number of veterans who either re-signed or, in the case of Quinton Jefferson, were signed during free agency to potentially push the second-year pro aside.

Impact of injuries entering training camp

Hurst was a full participant during minicamp, showing the pectoral muscle had completely healed. Any injury-related impact on the position, at least at the start of camp, would be unexpected.

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