Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel Ogbah Primed For Breakout

The Cleveland Browns are focused on #1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett and how he’ll change the entire landscape of their defense moving forward.

This could be true. Garrett is that freakish of an athlete. He’s the type of blue chip talents that defenses can be built around. However, he might not be the pass rusher that surprises people in 2017 for Cleveland. That honor could go to Emmanuel Ogbah. The former 2nd round pick quietly had a decent rookie season last year. He played every game, made 53 tackles and produced six sacks. Considering all the team struggles, that’s solid work.

Turns out though that he did a lot better than people realize. According to Pro Football Focus, Ogbah had a tremendous year when it came to pressuring the quarterback.

That’s proof the young man has no trouble getting heat in the backfield. The trick for him will be learning how to finish for more sacks. That of course comes with time and work. All signs indicate he’s doing just that. Now with Garrett coming in he faces the prospect of not having to worry about double teams when given his pass rush opportunities.

Coaches say all the time that a team needs at least two really good rushers to function on defense. Ogbah and Garrett have a chance to make a dynamic combination, each with different strengths they can bring to the table. That more than anything should make this Browns defense something to watch this year. Never mind the arrival of veteran coordinator Gregg Williams.

Ogbah was viewed as an ascending talent even before he arrived in the NFL. If the progression remains at a steady clip in 2017 he could be primed for a big season. Perhaps to the point that people mention him as much as they’re bound to mention Garrett.