Julian Okwara (6-4, 250, 6th season, Notre Dame) --Okwara, 27, was signed as an unrestricted free agent and is under contract in 2025 for $1.167 million.
Cameron Thomas (6-4, 265, 4th year, San Diego State) --Thomas, 25, was claimed on waivers from the Chiefs last season and is under contract in 2025 for $1.4 million.
Cameron Thomas, Sam Kamara
Cameron Thomas (Photo: Getty, Getty)
Elerson Smith (6-7, 245, 3rd season, Northern Iowa) -- Smith, 26, was on the Browns practice squad last season and is under contract in 2025 for $1.030 million.
Adin Huntington (6-1, 281, Rookie, Tulane) -- Huntington, 23, was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. Huntington is under contract in 2025 for $846,000.
Summary
The Browns have needed a complement opposite of Garrett to take pressure off of him for years. Many thought the Browns might find that edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Abdul Carter. However, the Browns chose to trade down and did take the projected top defensive tackle in the draft in Mason Graham.
Smith, Okoronkwo and Wright have taken some of the pressure and attention that Garrett assumed. Smith was traded in the middle of last season and he still finished the season as second on the team in sacks. Okoronkwo was released in a salary cap move in June. Wright was expected to take another step in 2024 after having five sacks in the final six games of the 2023 season. However, Wright suffered a torn tricep and missed the majority of the season on injured reserve.