Latest On Browns’ DL Depth

The Browns used a third-round pick on Siaki Ika only last year, but it’s uncertain if the defensive tackle will even make it to his second year in Cleveland. Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that Ika is likely on the roster bubble heading into training camp.

Ika had an inconsistent role at LSU before establishing himself as an NFL prospect during his time at Baylor. The defensive lineman earned a pair of first-team All-Big 12 nods during his time with the Bears, collecting six sacks and eight tackles for loss. That performance helped make him a top-100 pick in the 2023 draft, as Ika ultimately was selected by the Browns at No. 98.

Unfortunately, the rookie was completely buried on the depth chart for much of his rookie campaign. He was inactive through the first 13 games of the season, with the Browns finally activating him when their injury issues became untenable. He got into about a third of his team’s defensive snaps in his four appearances down the stretch, and he also made an appearance in Cleveland’s playoff loss.

Ika’s role heading into training camp isn’t any more clear than it was last season. The team used draft picks on second-round DL Michael Hall Jr. and seventh-round DL Jowon Briggs, added veteran Quinton Jefferson, and re-signed Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst. With Dalvin Tomlinson also in place atop the depth chart, there might not be much room for Ika on the team’s initial 53-man roster.

There are some good signs, however. Easterling notes that Ika looked “much more trim” and “more muscular” during the team’s offseason program. It’s uncertain if conditioning was an issue for the six-foot-three, 335-pound lineman, but a reworked workout regimen could go a long way in helping him stick in Cleveland.