Sept. 6, 2026, 7:58 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
Last season, the Cleveland Browns<\/a> defense finished fourth in total defense, allowing just 283.6 yards per game. Cleveland got a lot out of their young guys, but no one shined more than rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger finished last season with a staggering 156 combined tackles on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. On the heels of his stellar 2025, did he crack the ESPN top 100<\/a>?<\/p>\n The team over at the NFL releases its top 100 every year, and Schwesinger cracked the list in just his second year, finishing at number 85:<\/p>\n The NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year set a high bar with 156 combined tackles, but the Browns expect Schwesinger to clear it in 2026.\u00a0New defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg replaces\u00a0Jim Schwartz, but the foundation of Cleveland’s attacking front remains intact. Schwesinger also connected with his childhood idol,\u00a0Hall of Famer\u00a0Luke Kuechly, this offseason in hopes of taking his game to another level.\u00a0— Daniel Oyefusi<\/p>\n The Browns are likely to finish in the top ten again in 2026, even with the departure of Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>. Jared Verse in return will cushion the blow, and if Schwesinger plays at a similar or even higher level in 2026, expect this unit to be dominant once again.<\/p>\n