If the Cleveland Browns want to have the making of an elite defense again in 2026, it’s going to take multiple players stepping up with Myles Garrett now out of the picture. 

Cleveland’s defense still has good talent at all three levels and it’ll be a unit expected to perform at a high level under defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg. 

One defensive starter has been labeled a breakout player to watch, and it comes as a surprise given what he’s done in his career to this point. 

ESPN names Browns’ breakout player to watch, and it comes on the defense 

Ben Solak named a breakout player to watch for all 32 teams in the NFL. Cleveland has multiple players who would potentially fit the bill, but Solak went with CB Tyson Campbell as his pick for the Browns. Cleveland traded Greg Newsome II for Campbell last season. 

A player who is on a four-year, $76 million deal being on breakout watch is certainly interesting. 

“Campbell looked more at home in Cleveland, where he was kept closer to the line of scrimmage and given a simpler menu of coverages,” Solak wrote. “He can still get picked on at times, especially when isolated on vertical routes. But as a No. 2 to Denzel Ward, he has a high ceiling given the play we’ve seen from him in the past. For the Browns’ defense to retain its elite status without Myles Garrett, it needs this cornerback duo to be among the league’s best.”

Campbell made 53 tackles, one interception for a touchdown, and 12 pass breakups in his 12 games with the Browns last season after being traded over by Jacksonville. The former Georgia Bulldog played in five games with the Jaguars before they shipped him to Cleveland. 

Tyson Campbell is a better fit for what the Browns want to do, and his best football is still ahead 

As Solak mentioned, Campbell is in a better situation to succeed with the Browns playing opposite of Denzel Ward. Campbell doesn’t draw the top wideout typically when matching up. The 6-foot-1, lengthy, and athletic cornerback was better last year than his previous couple of seasons, and he combines with Ward for a tough 1-2 punch at the position. 

Much of the defense’s success on the backend will still be impacted by the push the defensive line is getting. If the Browns can continue to be an impactful team up front defensively, Campbell is going to get chances to make plays on passes. 

The trade for Andrew Berry looked like a real win to get Campbell for a player like Newsome who was not in Cleveland’s future plans. A jump in 2026 for Campbell could land him in a Pro Bowl in season No. 6.