Browns will rely heavily on rookie Jordan Elliott after Billings opts out
By Cory Kinnan
The Browns will need third-rounder Jordan Elliott to step up right away
This past April, the Cleveland Browns selected Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Their plan was to use him on a rotational basis as a rookie, but he will now be asked to step up into a bigger role this upcoming season.
As the Browns enter their first season under new head coach Kevin Stefanski and new general manager Andrew Berry, they will do so without one of their new additions. Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Andrew Billings signed with the Browns in free agency, but the team will now be tasked with surviving without him as he has opted out of the season.
How Elliott now fits in with the Browns
Entering training camp, it was thought Elliott would serve the role of a rotational defensive tackle, more than likely fourth on the depth chart behind veterans Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, and Billings. Now, he will be pushed up to third on the depth chart, making him the first defensive tackle off the bench.
There is another added element as well.
Larry Ogunjobi was not quite what one would call a solid contributor a year ago for the city of Cleveland. Should Ogunjobi struggle early on again in 2020, then Elliott may be tasked with a starting role next to Richardson as a rookie.
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As the brown and orange head further into training camp, this defensive line which once had promise in its depth has taken a big hit. As Cleveland looks to get back on the map in 2020, and while they may look to load up on defensive line talent in the 2021 NFL Draft, they will now turn to their rookie defensive tackle in Jordan Elliott.