cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio Browns second-year linebacker Carson Schwesinger not only made a huge impact on the field as a rookie, he made a great first impression on his NFL peers.
Schwesinger, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, came in at No.
93 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, based on a leaguewide poll of players.
Hes the first Browns player on the list, which is revealed in increments beginning with No.
100.
The No.
33 pick of the Browns in 2025 out of UCLA, Schwesinger took the NFL by storm last season with 146 tackles, including 64 solo and 11 for a loss, and 57 run stops.
The tackles, TFLs and run stops were first among rookies, while the run stops were also eighth in the NFL.
His 146 tackles were also most by a Browns rookie since the team returned in 1999.
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And his superpower, of course, is running to the ball and finding the ball.
So, were amplifying that with some of the scheme and how he goes and then being able to do everything.
He wants to be really good at everything, whether hes covering, rushing, fitting runs.
So, theres a few things in each of those categories that those are our emphasis points.
And in the spring, theres a lot of things we did drill-wise to even help more there.
So, whats great about him is he really wants to be good at everything and just be a great teammate.
This season, Schwesinger will be joined by 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, acquired in a trade with the Rams for fellow edge rusher Myles Garrett.
I think its pretty cool, Schwesinger said.
But were focused on going into 2026 and we both wont be rookies so just kind of building.
I mean obviously you dont get that if youre doing something wrong.
I think hes someone thats going to be really valuable to what we do and fit right in here and I think being able to work with him is going to be a whole lot of fun.
Schwesinger already watched some of Verses film to get a feel for his game.
Hes a great player, Schwesinger said.
I think a lot of players can make impacts that a lot of times you dont see on the stat sheet and everything like that.
He obviously does that.
But if you turn on a game from the team he was on, you saw the impact he was making and thats hard to do.
So when you get a player like that, youre pumped.
Schwesinger is also eager to play alongside new Browns linebacker Quincy Williams, and for Mike Rutenberg, his new defensive coordinator.
Its been a whole lot of fun, he said.
Energy is the word I use for it.
I just love being on the field finally again.
You get enough time off.
Its fun to be out there.
But the fields so important too.
Being able to learn how Quincy is on the field and how Rudy is on the field and vice versa, them learning how we are.
It really just builds that connection that allows us to play faster and its been a whole lot of fun being able to do that and be on the field with them.
If all goes as planned, Schwesingers appearance on the Top 100 list will be the first of many.