Maliek Collins quietly becoming one of the Browns’ most reliable defenders

Stop me if you've heard this before, but it's been another frustrating year in Cleveland. Through nine games, the Browns have won just two, and they continue to search for rhythm on offense under rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. They’ve struggled to find consistency, ranking near the bottom of the league in points scored and still chasing their first road win. But even in a down season, there are bright spots, and one of the most underrated has been Maliek Collins, a veteran who continues to play at a high level despite being nearly a decade into his NFL career. At almost 31 years old, Collins has quietly been one of the Browns’ most effective starters in a year where headlines in town have focused on an intriguing rookie class. Additionally, while attention understandably will remain on Myles Garrett, it’s Collins who’s provided critical stability and interior disruption alongside him. Through nine games, Collins ranks second on the team in total pressures with 21 -- trailing only Garrett -- and leads all