Browns PFF Grades: How did the Cleveland defense perform in their Week 4 loss?

Digging into the Cleveland Browns top-10 PFF graded players from their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions

This week’s PFF grades reflect many Browns players continuing their trend of positive play, while others saw a decline from Week 3’s victory.

As expected, the Cleveland Browns' defensive line held the top spots, with defensive end Myles Garrett earning a 90.5 overall grade. Shelby Harris also had an impressive day, finishing with an 89.4 overall grade on 23 total snaps, mostly in rush defense. Even though they didn’t manage to sack Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the defensive line’s impact was still noticeable with five quarterback pressures and limited production in the Lions’ passing attack.

Among the linebackers, four players found themselves in this week’s top-10 list after another impressive showing against the Detroit Lions. In his 17 snaps, veteran linebacker Jerome Baker earned the second-highest overall grade on the defensive side with an impressive 89.8. Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger also continued his strong start with a 78.3, his second-highest of the season so far. Despite a lower 70.8 overall grade, Devin Bush impressed with a team-leading nine total tackles.

The defensive secondary clearly struggled on the field and in Week 4’s defensive PFF grades. Cornerback Myles Harden was the highest-graded player in the secondary with a 75.2 overall grade. Struggling despite recording an interception was cornerback Denzel Ward, who finished with a 33.6 overall grade against the Lions. Grant Delpit joined him at the bottom of the leaderboard with a 53.0 grade—something both players will need to improve if the Browns’ defense wants to maintain its positive reputation.

Let’s now take a look at the Browns’ top-10 graded defensive PFF players in their Week 4 defeat in Detroit:

DE Myles Garrett

Sep 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) tries to get around Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 90.5

Run defense grade: 67.1

Pass rush grade: 92.0

LB Jerome Baker

Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Jerome Baker (17) after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 89.8

Run defense grade: 86.7

Pass coverage grade: 61.9

DT Shelby Harris

Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 89.3

Run defense grade: 84.5

Pass rush grade: 63.4

DE Alex Wright

Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright (91) celebrates his sack against Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 81.8

Run defense grade: 73.8

Pass rush grade: 70.6

LB Carson Schwesinger

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) runs for a first down against Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Overall grade: 78.3

Run defense grade: 69.7

Pass coverage grade: 76.2

LB Mohamoud Diabate

Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 78.2

Run defense grade: 73.1

Pass coverage grade: 62.1

CB Myles Harden

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) tries to catch a pass intended for him against Cleveland Browns cornerback Myles Harden (26) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Overall grade: 75.2

Run defense grade: 64.8

Pass coverage grade: 75.7

LB Devin Bush

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) makes a catch against Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Overall grade: 70.8

Run defense grade: 75.8

Pass coverage grade: 57.7

DT Maliek Collins

Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Overall grade: 70.5

Run defense grade: 65.0

Pass rush grade: 67.6

S Ronnie Hickman Jr

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 28: Jameson Williams #1 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the fourth quarter against Ronnie Hickman Jr. #33 of the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on September 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Overall grade: 68.9

Run defense grade: 64.9

Pass coverage grade: 66.5

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns PFF Grades: Reviewing the highest graded defenders from Week 4

Category: Football