According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have notified defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson of their intention to release him on Wednesday at the start of the league year. The Browns intend to classify Tomlinson as a post June 1st cut and the move creates $14.5 million in cap space.

The veteran Tomlinson spent the previous two seasons with the Browns. The deal was always structured so that the Browns could move on from him after two seasons. They want more financial flexibility and they want the defensive front to get cheaper.

Tomlinson was an effective 2-gapping defensive tackle who played both the nose and the three in his time in Cleveland. He was highly regarded as a locker room presence because of his professionalism, work ethic and leadership.

The Browns don’t have an immediate replacement for Tomlinson, so it becomes something they will have to address. They selected Jowon Briggs as a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft. He saw a good amount of playing time, proving to be effective the last month of the season as a run-stopper that played around 20 snaps per game. That’s promising, but the Browns will need another player to rotate with him.

Overall, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz tends to favor slightly smaller, faster defensive linemen that can create pressure. Although Tomlinson was massive in his size, his pressure rate was solid. That really shined when the Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the blizzard when Tomlinson recorded 10 pressures.

There are veteran options the Browns could consider that are currently available via free agency. This draft class is also well regarded on the defensive line, especially with the style Tomlinson played. That does put a small amount of pressure on the Browns to effectively replace him, making it a mandate of sorts.

Designating Tomlinson as a June 1st move means the Browns have used both of their designations for this year. The other was used in order to release safety Juan Thornhill. That’s another position the Browns are likely to address potentially via free agency.

Tomlinson re-enters the market at 31 years old on Wednesday at 4pm, though he is coming off a strong season. He was far more disruptive for the Browns in 2024 compared to 2023. The combination of Briggs and whoever else they get to replace Tomlinson will have an important role to fill, helping the Browns to stop the run. That then allows them to pin their ears back to rush the passer in longer down and distance situations.

The Browns also have Mike Hall Jr. coming off his rookie season as well as Shelby Harris under contract for the 2025 season in addition to Briggs.

Stay tuned to the OBR for the latest news and analysis regarding the Cleveland Browns.