The Cleveland Browns traded away pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith at the deadline last season, opening the door for second-year player Isaiah McGuire to take on a full-time role. How did he perform, and could the team feel comfortable moving forward into 2025 with him as a starter?
McGuire was the 126th overall selection in 2023 out of Missouri. An explosive athlete with good size and length, he didn't make it onto the field much as a rookie, logging only 93 total snaps, with 49 of those coming in Cleveland's final game of the season.
He was inactive in Week 1 of 2024, but was able to carve out a backup role for himself, and that role increased once Alex Wright was placed on injured reserve. McGuire's snap counts then practically doubled once Smith was traded, and he proved himself deserving.