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Browns PFF Grades: Reviewing Week 18’s top defensive players
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- Browns PFF Grades: Reviewing Week 18’s top defensive players
The Cleveland Browns managed to secure a second straight victory to end their 2025 season, with the majority of the praise going to the team's defense.
Along with securing the single-season sack record, defensive end Myles Garrett topped the PFF grade list with an elite 90.0 overall score. Joining him in near-elite status were Browns safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. and linebacker Jerome Baker , both collecting over an 84.0 overall grade. Throughout the majority of 2025, all three defenders were consistent contributors to the top-10 PFF grades list, especially in Week 18 against the Bengals .
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Speaking of consistent defenders, linebacker Devin Bush finished off his impressive season with a 78.3 overall grade, including an 84.0 run defense score. He's proven to be a key contributor on Jim Schwartz's defense that the team will want to retain this offseason. Cornerback Tyson Campbell is also an exciting name the Browns were happy to acquire in 2025, finishing his short Browns season with a 68.8 overall grade against the Cincinnati Bengals .
Now, let's take a look at the Browns ' top PFF-graded defenders against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18:
DE Myles Garrett
Overall grade: 90.0
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Run defense grade: 64.6
Pass rush grade: 91.2
S Ronnie Hickman Jr
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins tight end Tanner Conner (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 84.6
Run defense grade: 56.8
Pass coverage grade: 84.3
LB Jerome Baker
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) stiff arms Cleveland Browns linebacker Jerome Baker (17) in the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 84.4
Run defense grade: 59.0
Pass coverage grade: 90.3
LB Devin Bush
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 78.3
Run defense grade: 84.0
Pass coverage grade: 72.5
S Grant Delpit
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (9), safety Ronnie Hickman (33) and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) tackle Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) following a reception by Sample during the third quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 75.3
Run defense grade: 56.0
Pass coverage grade: 72.3
CB Denzel Ward
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 69.4
Run defense grade: 67.6
Pass coverage grade: 63.9
CB Tyson Campbell
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) enters the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 69.4
Run defense grade: 67.4
Pass coverage grade: 67.6
DE Isaiah McGuire
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Overall grade: 65.6
Run defense grade: 52.4
Pass rush grade: 71.9
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DT Mason Graham
Overall grade: 61.6
Run defense grade: 72.9
Pass rush grade: 48.3
LB Chris Edmonds
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 13: Chris Edmonds #41 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Overall grade: 61.3
Run defense grade: 60.0
Pass coverage grade: 60.0
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns PFF Grades: Reviewing Week 18's top defensive players
