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Linebacker competition looks to be fierce for Cleveland Browns heading into camp

By Giovanni Castelli

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) gets past Boise State Broncos offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo (71) during the second half in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) gets past Boise State Broncos offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo (71) during the second half in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Shane Cockerille (2) tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Joe Schobert (58) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Shane Cockerille (2) tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Joe Schobert (58) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Tuggle, ILB

Career stats: 42 games, 11 starts, 45 tackles, 0 sacks

Contract status: Tuggle signed a one-year deal that calls for a base salary of $700,000 and a cap hit of $700,000.

Justin Tuggle signed on as a free agent from the Houston Texans during the 2016 free agency period. He is another player who fits the Browns’ mold of young, hungry and coming off of his rookie contract. Tuggle has started 11 games in his career and has yet to record a sack.

Related: Cleveland Browns sign Justin Tuggle

The Browns hope to capitalize on Tuggle’s limited but valuable experience as he is very active on the field. Unless Tuggle comes out and dominates in camp, expect to see him in a situational role with the team if he makes the roster.

Joe Schobert, ILB

Joe Schobert was drafted by the Browns in the 2016 draft with the first pick in the fourth round. Schobert overcame adversity in his college career as he was a walk-on at Wisconsin who saw his role on the team increase each season.

Schobert was productive in his two years as a starter for the Badgers forcing six fumbles (recovering three), along with an interception. He was an All-American for Wisconsin last season, as well as the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. Revisiting a recurring theme, Schobert fits the Browns model for their players as he loves football, overcame adversity to succeed and is a high-character guy.

Related: Browns select Joe Schobert

Expect to see Schobert push the existing veterans in camp. His high-motor and love of the game will carry him as he is a hard worker with a will to succeed. This will help bring out the best in the other players vying for a spot on the linebacking corps.

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Scooby Wright III, ILB

Once regarded as the best defender in college football and a one-man wrecking crew, Scooby Wright slipped to the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft due to a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and then a sprained foot. Wright struggled to regain his form in 2015, however in his final college game he filled the stat sheet with 15 stops, 3.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks against an option running team in New Mexico.

Related: Browns select Scooby Wright

What may go down as the biggest steal in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wright hopes to regain his form after a down final year at Arizona. Compared to ex-Miami Dolphin Zack Thomas, Wright could become the best linebacker the Browns have had since Clay Matthews, who last played for Cleveland in 1993. If he is healthy, expect Wright to push for a starting spot on this roster come opening day.

The Browns really went to work to add depth and options at the linebacker position heading into training camp. With the additions through free agency and the draft, the team looks to increase the competition at the position in the hopes of bringing out the best of each player vying for a roster spot.

In this league nobody is safe and everyone must prove themselves. The competition at linebacker will not be for the faint of heart as only the strong and productive will survive.

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