Cleveland Browns' updated 2022 depth chart, post-NFL Draft: Defense

CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from the Wednesday, May 18, 2022 episode of The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.

With the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, we now have a more complete look at what the Cleveland Browns' roster will look like. With that in mind, let's take a look at the Browns' current 2022 defensive depth chart.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns' updated depth chart, post-2022 NFL Draft: Offense

Left defensive end

1. Myles Garrett
2. Isaiah Thomas
3. Curtis Weaver

Right defensive end

1. Chase Winovich
2. Alex Wright
3. Isaac Rochell
4. Stephen Weatherly

There's still a chance that the Browns could re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, but as of now, Chase Winovich projects as the starter opposite Myles Garrett. Third-round pick Alex Wright could also potentially see playing time should Cleveland fail to re-sign Clowney.

Defensive tackle

1. Taven Bryan
2. Perrion Winfrey
3. Sheldon Day
4. Jordan Elliott
5. Tommy Togiai
6. Roderick Perry II

For the second straight offseason, defensive tackle is one of the Browns' biggest question marks, with last year's starters Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell unlikely to return. Currently, free-agent signee Taven Bryan projects as Cleveland's most reliable player at the position, with draft picks from each of the past three years -- Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai and Perrion Winfrey -- in line for potential playing time.

SAM Linebacker

1. Sione Takitaki
2. Jacob Phillips

MIKE Linebacker

1. Anthony Walker Jr.
2. Willie Harvey Jr.

WILL Linebacker

1. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
2. Tony Fields Jr.
3. Silas Kelly

Linebacker was one of the biggest question marks for Cleveland at this time last year but the Browns are currently poised to return all three starters from a season ago. A 2021 second-round selection, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah enjoyed a strong rookie season, with Cleveland opting to re-sign veteran Anthony Walker Jr. to man the middle of its defense.

The wild card of the bunch is 2020 third-round pick Jacob Phillips, who has the versatility to play inside or outside but must stay healthier than he has for each of the past two seasons.

Cornerback

1. Denzel Ward
2. Greedy Williams
3. Parnell Motley
4. Herb Miller

1. Greg Newsome II
2. Martin Emerson Jr.
3. A.J. Green
4. Reggie Robinson II
5. Shaun Jolly

For the second straight year, the Browns used their first pick of the draft on a cornerback, selecting Mississippi State's Martin Emerson Jr. in the third round. After Cleveland traded Troy Hill to the Los Angeles Rams, last year's top pick, Greg Newsome II, figures to handle nickel back duties, with Emerson and Greedy Williams likely vying for the opportunity to start opposite Denzel Ward on the outside.

Free safety

1. John Johnson III
2. Richard LeCounte III
3. Nate Meadors

Strong safety

1. Grant Delpit
2. Ronnie Harrison Jr.
3. D'Anthony Bell
4. Luther Kirk

John Johnson III and Grant Delpit return as the Browns' starting safeties, with Ronnie Harrison Jr. also returning to provide depth and versatility at both spots. On paper, this has the potential to be one of Cleveland's stronger units, although the Browns will need more consistency than they got from all three players a season ago.