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Over the years, the Cleveland Browns have drafted multiple defensive tackles who have emerged as hidden gems.
Among them, Larry Ogunjobi was a third-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he went on to surpass expectations with 14.5 sacks recorded in 60 contests played as a defensive tackle over his four-season run in Cleveland. More so, Jordan Elliott was picked by the Browns in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the former Missouri standout has since blossomed as a rotational defensive lineman.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Browns sure hope that Perrion Winfrey, who was selected in the fourth round of April’s draft, can be that next defensive tackle who rises to the occasion for the team. He not only has what it takes to exert a keen impact at the line of scrimmage over the course of his rookie campaign, but he can also be an X-factor for Cleveland in the coming season.
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Browns X-Factor To Emerge in 2022 NFL Season
Winfrey made the most out of what turned out to be his final year at Oklahoma in the 2021 season, posting career highs in tackles for loss (11.0) and sacks (5.5). He also logged 23 quarterback pressures in 11 such games played for the Sooners.
Over the past months, Winfrey provided a glimpse to his new teammates and the coaching staff of what will be to come in the 2022 season; he featured for the team over its rookie minicamp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp schedules.
From Browns defensive end Myles Garrett's standpoint, he is already a fan of a player who he may tag along with at the line of scrimmage a multitude of times in the upcoming campaign.
Article Continues Below“He works hard,” Garrett said during Browns’ OTAs. “We just have to get him in the right place at the right time. He is a hard worker. He wants to learn. … He is all work. He gets there. He goes full speed, and he is trying to get rid of some of the things he lost in college and take some of the things that he needs for the NFL and just try to refine it.
“I think (defensive line coach Chris Kiffin) Kiff is doing a good job, and we are just trying to show him what we are working with and what won’t work.”
On the other hand, Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods has been impressed with the former Oklahoma standout as well.
“He is a very passionate player,” Woods said during Browns’ OTAs. “He plays very hard. With his size and his athletic ability, his attitude and his approach to the game, he is exactly what we were looking for. He still has to grow up a little bit. He has to learn our system, but we are very pleased with getting him in the draft.
“He has extreme length — 35-inch-plus arms. Three hundred pounds. He gets off the ball. He is very explosive. We want to have more of an attacking front. We want guys who get off the ball and dent the line of scrimmage, and that is exactly what he did in college.”
Winfrey is not slated to start for the Browns come Week 1 of the 2022 season, as both Elliott and Taven Bryan are on par to fill the team’s starting defensive tackle spots. Still, he could go on to find a role on the team as a formidable rotational player.
Winfrey can be quite explosive off of the line of scrimmage, which was showcased last year with his ability to push his way into the backfield and secure timely tackles for a loss. He can also be a threat to rush the passer, and this aspect of his play may be needed when attempting to bring down quarterbacks such as Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow — both of whom can complete outside-the-pocket throws with relative ease.
Quarterbacks in the Big 12 last year sure had to keep a close watch on Winfrey when squaring off against Oklahoma. He simply shined when it came to winning scrimmage duels to get to opposing passers.
Big 12 Defensive Tackles with the highest pass rush grades last season
🥇 Siaki Ika: 85.7
🥈 Perrion Winfrey: 79.3
🥉 Jalen Redmond: 76.0 pic.twitter.com/7LO73zSl6B— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 3, 2022
The Browns did not enter the draft with any notable needs within their defensive line. Still, Winfrey can raise some eyebrows and be that X-factor talent for the team on this side of the ball. From his stout work rate to his capability to continually cause havoc in the backfield, Winfrey can go on to assist both Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney when they are rushing the passer, which could end up being pivotal for a Browns defense that tallied 43 total sacks in the 2021 regular season.
