Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense

Amid the Cleveland Browns’ defensive challenges this season—key injuries and divisional struggles—defensive end Alex Wright has emerged as a bright spot, with his sack totals climbing rapidly. In his third NFL season, Wright has evolved from a rotational player to a reliable pass rusher, tallying 8.5 sacks through 14 games in 2024—surpassing his combined 3 sacks from his first two years. His breakout has boosted the Browns’ pass rush and energized a defense that lost Maliek Collins to a season-ending injury. Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense explores the drivers of his sack surge, technical growth, defining games, impact on the defense, and what his progress means for the team’s future.

Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense opens with the core factors fueling his success: more playing time, refined technique, and greater confidence. After two seasons as a backup, Wright earned a starting role in Week 3, thanks to a strong preseason (2 sacks, 5 quarterback pressures). Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz shifted him between defensive end and 3-technique tackle in passing situations, using his length and quickness to exploit mismatches. “Alex has always had the tools—now he’s putting them together,” said defensive line coach Ben Bloom. “He reads offenses faster and plays with purpose.” Wright’s chemistry with Myles Garrett (who draws double teams) has also been key. “Myles takes attention off me, leaving me one-on-one—I’ve capitalized,” Wright noted.

Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense delves into his technical improvements. Early in his career, Wright relied on athleticism, leading to inconsistency. This season, he’s added a spin move and arm-over technique, refined with Bloom’s help to use his 83-inch wingspan effectively. “Patience is the biggest change—he waits for blockers to commit, then uses their momentum,” Bloom explained. Five of his 8.5 sacks came from one-on-one moves, 3.5 from cleanup plays off Garrett’s pressure. His PFF pass-rushing grade jumped from 62.1 (2023) to 84.3 (2024), ranking him among the NFL’s top 15 defensive ends.

Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense covers his defining games, highlighting clutch performances. Week 5 against Tennessee: 2 sacks (including a fourth-quarter stop to secure the win). Week 8 vs. Denver: 1.5 sacks, with an overtime sack setting up the game-winning field goal. Week 12 vs. Houston: 3 sacks (his first multi-sack game) despite double teams after Garrett’s minor injury. “That game showed his growth—he still produced when teams focused on him,” Schwartz said. For the Cleveland Browns, Wright’s big moments have been vital: his sacks directly led to 14 points this season, via short touchdowns or turnover conversions.

Another layer of Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense is his impact on the Browns’ defensive scheme. Schwartz now uses Wright and Garrett in “tandem rushes” to confuse offenses; Wright shifts inside on passing downs to beat slower interior linemen. This versatility makes the pass rush harder to game-plan for. The Browns’ sack ranking improved from 22nd (2023) to 10th (2024), with Wright and Garrett combining for 21 sacks. For the Cleveland Browns, the better pass rush has helped the secondary too—opposing quarterbacks have less time to throw, leading to 15 interceptions (up from 10 in 2023).

Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense explores his significance for the Browns’ future. Short term: his production could help the playoff push, especially with Collins sidelined, providing a safety net if Garrett is double-teamed or injured. Long term: Wright’s growth solidifies the defensive line—with Garrett signed through 2027, they form a top AFC pass-rushing duo. This stability may attract free-agent linemen. “Alex is key to our future—he’s exceeding expectations,” said GM Andrew Berry. For the Cleveland Browns, his surge proves their young talent development is working, making the defense a growing force.

Alex Wright's Sack Totals Rise for the Cleveland Browns Defense closes with his journey from raw rookie to key contributor. Drafted in 2022 as a project, he spent part of his rookie year on the practice squad and struggled in 2023. But he worked tirelessly: extra practice with Bloom, film study of top rushers, and offseason conditioning. “I always believed I could do this—hard work and support from coaches and Myles made it happen,” Wright said. For the Cleveland Browns, his story highlights the value of patience in player development. As Wright cements his status as a rising star, he’s not just winning games—he’s becoming a defensive cornerstone and fan favorite.