The Browns might have found a defensive star in Maliek Collins

The Stats Back Up Collins

One of the biggest concerns heading into 2025 was how the Browns would replace Dalvin Tomlinson, the space‑eating nose tackle they moved on from to free up cap space. Andrew Berry opted for a rotation of cheap veterans and rookies, headlined by Collins and first‑round pick Mason Graham from Michigan. Graham has shown the explosive get‑off that made him a top pick, but it’s Collins’ consistent pressure that has freed up Myles Garrett to wreck games from the edge.

The way Collins plays fits the identity Schwartz wants. The Browns' defensive coordinator runs a one‑gap front that tells his linemen to attack rather than read, trusting his linebackers to clean up. That suits guys like Collins, who have never been massive run‑stuffers but thrive when they’re free to cause chaos. The result? Cleveland has allowed just 248 total yards per game, first in the NFL, and only 75.6 rushing yards per game.

Collins has always flashed as a disruptive three‑technique in passing situations, and in Jim Schwartz’s aggressive, gap‑attacking scheme, he's been free to shoot into the backfield.
Through five games, he leads all NFL defensive tackles and is 10th overall in pass‑rush win rate at 21.6%. Pro Football Focus has Collins with the highest pass rush grade among defensive tackles and 5th overall at an outstanding 91.8. Only Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, and Joey Bosa have a higher grade.

For the non-PFF graders, the pure stats are backing Collins as well. Collins is currently tied for 1st with Titans' Jeffrey Simmons for most sacks by a defensive tackle with 3.5. Collins is also tied for 4th in pressures among defensive tackles with 17 and 7th in hurries with 11. He is doing all of this while logging only 126 pass rush attempts, which is tied for 22nd in the league at defensive tackle and 46th overall.

Impact on Teammates

Of course, Collins isn’t alone. Garrett, the perennial All‑Pro, is on pace for another double‑digit sack season and rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger leads the team in tackles. Edges Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright are grading out well and playing solid, and Graham has shown why he was drafted fifth overall.

Collins has played a huge role in their play, as he's shifted the offensive line's attention to him, allowing others to have one-on-one matchups or even open up some free plays. In previous seasons, teams could double Garrett and live with the results. If you try that now, Collins and Graham collapse the pocket from the inside, and you’re still facing third‑and‑long.

Another underrated benefit of Collins’ arrival is what it has done for the locker room. In years past, the Browns had talented players but lacked leaders who could steady the ship when adversity hit. Collins has been a calming presence, especially on a unit with several rookies. He’s known for long film sessions and being the first one at practice. That example is critical of a defense that plays with a swagger but has to compensate for an anemic offense.

Still, the group isn’t perfect. There have been lapses in tackling and some big plays allowed in the run game. Schwartz has been mixing personnel to keep players fresh, and at times that has led to communication breakdowns. Opponents have started using screens and misdirection to slow down the pass rush. There’s also the question of sustainability. Can a defense continue to play at this level if the offense remains stuck in low gear? History suggests they need at least a complementary offense to avoid wearing down by December.

Looking ahead, the schedule gets a little easier. After traveling to the freshly rested 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns host a struggling Miami Dolphins team, then travel to New England to take on the Patriots, and then out to Las Vegas to play the Raiders. If the Browns are going to turn their season around, the defense needs to remain elite.

Collins will have to continue dominating guards and centers, and Schwartz will need to keep dialing up the right pressures. More importantly, the offense needs to reward this effort by sustaining drives and putting points on the board. If that happens, Cleveland’s defense might carry them into the playoff hunt despite a rocky start.

For now, Collins has given Browns fans a reason to cheer. He’s a reminder that free‑agent signings can still move the needle. While the front office figures out what to do at quarterback and how to jump‑start an offense that has looked lifeless, the defense will keep punching opposing teams in the mouth. In a season defined by frustration, sometimes that’s all you need.