The Browns have signed Taven Bryan to a 1-year deal worth up to $5 million. Bryan was a first round pick by the Jaguars in the 2018 NFL Draft. He is entering his age 26 season. Bryan has been a disappointment in his time with the Jaguars, but has enough athleticism to make it worth the low-risk contract.
NFL Production
Taven Bryan has had a very odd career — his production has been up and down. He is best as a pass rusher. Last season, he had two sacks and 12 other pressures on 176 pass rush snaps. His overall PFF grade was a 56.4, with a run defense grade of 44.4 and a pass rush grade of 66.8. Last year was his worst season, and also the least amount of snaps he’d ever played. His best season was 2019, where he had two sacks and 23 other pressures, as well as his highest ever PFF grade at 75.5.
Athleticism
Taven Bryan is a freak athlete. He had great testing numbers at the NFL Combine, not only in terms of speed, but also explosiveness and change of direction. He has good height at 6’5″, but is a bit underweight, being just 295lbs last year. Bryan and also has short arms at just 32.75″. His athleticism is good enough to make him a good dart throw.
How Taven Bryan Fits With the Browns
The Browns are in desperate need of help on the interior of the defensive line, and Taven Bryan can help alleviate that need. Bryan will play 3-tech. Currently, Jordan Elliott is the starting 3-tech. Last year’s 4th round pick Tommy Togiai is the only other defensive tackle who is slotted in as the 1-tech.
Bryan has more experience and athleticism than either of these guys, but has not been good during that experience. He can be a rotational player who is best as a pass rusher and can play on some special teams units. All in all, Bryan is not an answer, but a good piece to fill in the back-end of the defensive tackle room.