Isaiah Thomas (6-5, 266, 2nd year, Oklahoma) — Thomas, 25, spent the season on the practice squad after having knee surgery in the preseason. Thomas was a seventh-round draft choice in the 2022 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he finished with nine tackles, one sack, two passes broken up, and a fumble recovery. Thomas is under contract for 2024 with a salary cap number of $915,000.

Isaiah McGuire (6-4, 268, Rookie, Missouri) — McGuire, 22, had six tackles, including a sack in four games, including one start. He was inactive for 13 games after being a fourth-round draft choice in the 2023 NFL Draft. McGuire is under contract for 2024 with a salary cap number of $1.092 million.

Lonnie Phelps (6-2, 247, Rookie, Kansas) — Phelps, 23, was an undrafted rookie who spent the season on the practice squad. Phelps is under contract in 2024 with a salary cap number of $795,000.

Sam Kamara (6-0, 272, 2nd year, Stony Brook) — Kamara, 26, finished the season with seven tackles in two games. He finished the season on the active roster after spending most of the season on the practice squad. Kamara is an exclusive rights free agent.

Summary and Looking Ahead

The Browns are in a similar position in which they have been in the past few seasons, trying to find the long-term answer at edge rusher opposite of Garrett. In the previous three seasons, the Browns signed Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year contract in both years. After nine sacks in his first season with the Browns, Clowney had just two sacks in 2022 and signed with the Ravens in 2023.

When defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz joined the Browns last season, he said the most important aspect of defense is a disruptive pass rush and his aggressive style helped the Browns put much more pressure on quarterbacks in 2023.

The Browns acquired Smith in a trade and he was a big addition on the edge opposite of Garrett. Smith had his contract restructured before joining the Browns in a trade to be a free agent after the 2023 season. Smith is a free agent in March if the Browns do not re-sign him to an extension before then.

Smith finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks, but Schwartz talked about how disruptive Smith was in his role on the defense. It would appear that Smith would be a top priority to retain in the Browns No. 1 defense.

However, Okoronkwo played well after being signed to a long-term contract as an unrestricted free agent before suffering a torn pectoral that cost him three games. Wright emerged in the second half of the season and finished with five sacks.

McGuire spent most of the season in a reserve role as a rookie and could develop into a more prominent role in 2024 after being a fourth-round draft choice.

Smith could be the best choice to re-sign, but if the Browns are unable to do so, they could look to free agency.

Last year the Browns signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo as an unrestricted free agent and if they look to free agency for edge rushers, some of the options in free agency at defensive end are Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 8 PFF), Bryce Huff (No. 29), Jonathan Greenard (No. 32), Danielle Hunter (No. 33) and Chase Young (No. 38).