Barkevious Mingo has said that the Cleveland Browns could be the top defensive side in the NFL in 2013.

The AFC North side have brought in linebacker Paul Kruger and defensive end Desmond Bryant through free agency, while using the sixth overall pick in this year's draft to acquire Mingo.

The 22-year-old told The Plain Dealer: "If everything is going well, I think this defense could be the best in the league.

"We have a lot of players that can contribute and help this team win. We've got a lot of rushers. We've got corners on the back end. We've got d-linemen that can hold those blocks and get off and make plays.

"We've got linebackers that can come up and tackle the run and get back in coverage as well. So we have a lot of tools that we can use."

The Browns finished last in their division in 2012.