The second installment of the 2015 Cleveland Browns defensive roster analysis focuses on the linebackers.
The 2015 season was a disappointment for the Cleveland Browns defense as a whole. The linebacking core had a mix of veterans and youth playing and took its growing pains collectively throughout the season.
The linebackers struggled to produce a strong edge rush presence and struggle to set the edge and stop the run. One of the most disappointing parts of the season was the outside edge defenders falling to contain the outside and force runs back inside.
However, with Ray Horton back at the defensive helm, players get a fresh start in 2016 and look to right the defensive ship for the Browns.
To sort out how the linebackers performed in 2015, and what Browns fans can expect in 2016, Dawg Pound Daily’s Eric Sczcepinski has assigned grades and provides an outlook for what to expect from each player in 2016.
Next: Karlos Dansby and Craig Robertson
Karlos Dansby
Age: 34
Experience: 12 years
Contract Status: Free agent 2018
The veteran linebacker was signed in the spring of 2014 from the Arizona Cardinals. The move to bring in Dansby was after the team elected to let D’Qwell Jackson walk in free agency. Despite Dansby being two years older in the age the move paid dividends for the Browns.
Since joining the Browns, Dansby has been the unquestioned leader of the Browns defense. Dansby graded highly in run and pass defense in 2014. Dansby anchored the Browns middle again while statistically improving from a season ago. Dansby recorded 109 tackles and had three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Dansby played in all 16 games and despite the Browns defensive struggles Dansby was solid in the middle of the Browns front.
2016 Outlook:
Father time is ticking on Dansby’s career but the 12-year veteran has continued to play at a high level. Dansby will turn 35 in November and as long as he can remain healthy his solid play and leadership makes him a strong linebacker presence for the team.
Craig Robertson
Age 27
Experience: 4 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2016
Robertson had a breakout season in 2014 showing capability to play the inside despite being slightly undersized for the position. His strong play and off fieldwork in the community lead to his nominee as the Browns selection for Walter Payton man of the year.
Robertson and the Browns could not come to a contract extension in 2015 and Robertson signed a one-year tender with the Browns. In 2016 Robertson was a decrease in production as he split more time with second year linebacker Christian Kirksey. Robertson also missed four games with an ankle injury. Robertson is a solid role player who provides the ability to produce from the inside linebacker position.
2016 Outlook:
Robertson is a free agent and it would be smart for the Browns to resign Robertson at the right price. Robertson provides solid depth and production. Though, the Browns should look to upgrade their linebacker corps this offseason as well.
Next: Christian Kirksey and Tank Carder
Christian Kirksey
Age: 23
Experience: 2 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2018
In his second season out of Iowa, Kirksey saw increased playing time playing in over 50 percent of the defensive snaps his season. Kirksey has shown the ability to play strongly against the run and pass. Kirksey also displayed the ability to rush the passer registering 3.5 sacks this season.
2016 Outlook:
New defensive coordinator Ray Horton will love the athletic ability that Kirksey had to offer. Kirksey will be used heavily in base and sub packages because of his speed and playmaking potential.
Tank Carder
Age: 27
Experience: 4 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2016
Carder has been a valuable special team player in his four seasons with the Browns. Carder has been on the roster bubble multiple times at the end of training camp but consistently makes the roster with his high work ethic and wiliness to do whatever it takes to make the roster. Carder played in less than 9% of the defense snaps this season but made huge contributions on the special teams front.
2016 Outlook:
Despite being a free agent, it would be a likely scenario where Carder is brought in to compete for a roster spot once again. The new front office is looking to build stability and Carder has been a productive special teams player for the team. Carder also is familiar with Ray Horton and his defensive scheme.
Next: Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo
Paul Kruger
Age: 30
Experience: 7 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2018
Coming off his best professional season in 2014 where he registered a career high and team high 11 sacks, Kruger was expected to be a huge piece of the Browns defensive success. However 2015 quickly became a season Kruger will want to forget and move on from.
Kruger publicly voiced his frustration stating that former defensive coordinator wasn’t scheming to his player’s strengths and was playing him out of position. Kruger wasn’t asked to rush the passer as much this season and that is his biggest strength he can bring to a defense.
Kruger had a severely disappointing season as his pass rush presence was greatly missed. However, Kruger was not wrong in arguing why he had a down season. Kruger is under contract for two more seasons and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton needs to unleash Kruger back into his pass rushing role. Horton was defensive coordinator in 2013, in Kruger’s first season with the Browns.
2016 Outlook:
Despite the down season, Kruger is still a valuable part of the team moving forward. Kruger needs to return to the role he knows best and that’s creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Browns pass rush was close to non-existent this past season and if Kruger can rebound from his down season, it would provide a significant boost to the Browns defense.
Barkevious Mingo
Age: 25
Experience: 3 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2017 (Club option)
Mingo saw his role significantly lessen in 2015. Mingo was sidelined for a majority of training camp after having a minor surgery on his knee. Mingo returned week one and played in all 16 games but his role with the defense was uncertain.
Mingo played only a few series each game and primary played coverage against the pass. Mingo was drafted 6th overall in 2013 with hopes of becoming a top edge rusher. Mingo was only recorded 7 sacks since entering the league and had zero in 2015.
Mingo remains a top athlete on the Browns defense and is still young at age 25. With the return of Ray Horton, Horton may be able to tap into the potential of Mingo. Mingo had his best season as a rookie in Horton’s defense when he recorded five sacks and 42 tackles.
2016 Outlook:
Mingo will have to compete for playing time and reinvent himself in Horton’s defense. Horton will attempt to find a role for the still young Mingo. Mingo hasn’t lived up to his sixth overall pick status but remains an intriguing player to watch this offseason.
Next: Nate Orchard and Armonty Bryant
Nate Orchard
Age: 23
Experience: 1 year
Contract Status: Free Agent 2019
Orchard was selected in the second round by the Browns in last April’s draft. Orchard was considered one of the top pass rushers in the 2015 draft class.
As the season progressed, Orchard grew into a starter like role in the defense and things started to click for Orchard near the end of the season. Orchard recorded three sacks on the season which all took place in the last month of the season.
Orchard struggled adjusting to becoming an every down linebacker with setting the edge in the run game and learning how to stay home against play-action and misdirection’s. As Orchard progressed it allowed him to do what he was known in college to do best and that’s rush the passer. Orchard improved steadily over the season and will be a big piece for the Browns moving forward.
2016 Outlook:
Orchard will likely enter training camp as one of the two starting outside linebackers in Horton’s defense. Orchard will look to grow from a learning experience his rookie year and develop as the Browns top pass rusher.
Armonty Bryant
Age 25
Experience: 3 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2017
Bryant, a seventh round selection in 2013 was having a solid year being moved to outside linebacker from defensive end. Bryant totaled 5.5 sacks and was the Browns most consistent linebacker for a majority of the season. However, Bryant was arrested on Christmas morning for gun and drug possession.
This put an end to Bryant’s 2015 season and his future with the team seems very uncertain. Bryant was indicted on felony drug possession for Adderall and oxycodone on Feb. 10 and will also likely face punishment from the NFL.
2016 Outlook:
Bryant’s career as a Brown is likely over, as the new front office wants players with no off field baggage.
Next: Scott Solomon and Cam Johnson
Scott Solomon
Age: 27
Experience: 4 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2016
Solomon was in line to be the Browns starting outside linebacker after an impress training camp. Solomon emerged towards the end of 2014 and positioned himself to have a large role with the team in 2015.
However, Solomon was injured in the season opener in New York and missed the entire season due to knee and ankle injuries. Solomon was limited to just 33 snaps on the season. It was not only a blow for the Browns, but also a major blow for Solomon who was positioned to have his first significant role in an NFL defense.
2016 Outlook:
Solomon is a restricted free agent and with the injury in 2015 it remains to seen if the Browns plan to tender Solomon. With a change in culture in the Browns organization the team will likely attempt to upgrade the linebacker spot this off-season. The question becomes if Solomon fits the new plans for the team.
Cam Johnson
Age:25
Experience: 4 years
Contract Status: Free Agent 2016
Johnson was signed to the Browns practice squad in September. Johnson previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers. Johnson was active for just the season finale against Pittsburgh. Johnson recorded three tackles and is a free agent entering 2016.