Cleveland Browns: Ranking each 2018 position group

7. Linebackers

With names like Jamie Collins, Christian Kirksey, and Joe Schobert, you’d expect them to be higher ranked. But one of the reasons the pass defense was so bad last season was because none of the linebackers could cover a tight end. There is a lot of talent with this group, but coverage was not their strong suit.

All three are solid run stuffers, but they all have their flaws.. Schobert was a tackling machine, which made him the only Pro Bowler on the 2017 Browns roster. Although he was very good at wrapping players up and filling gaps, he never looked comfortable in pass coverage, especially in goal-line situations.

Kirksey is athletic and is excellent at pursuing runners. But opposing quarterbacks would feast on him when he was in pass coverage. He never has been able to use his athleticism to turn and run with receivers and tight ends, often leaving them wide open for easy completions.

Collins is a do-it-all linebacker that can rush the passer, stop the run, and look competent when in coverage. But injuries have begun to pile up on him, which have slowed him down and made him less reliable.

The Browns also do not have much depth with this group. They drafted Genard Avery in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and there is a lot of potential. But after him, Joe Burgess and Tank Carder are the best depth pieces, but both are best suited as special teamers.