Cleveland Browns: 3 unexpected training camp standouts so far

2. Joe Schobert, Linebacker

When you lead the NFL in tackles it’s insulting to think the following season you could be under the radar. Sadly, that’s what’s happened with Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert though. According to NFL.com, Schobert had a whopping 144 tackles as well as three forced fumbles and an interception. Then he became an afterthought.

This was no fault of his own, but rather a case of the Browns adding some talent around him — and getting a big name at the position back. With Jamie Collins, Sr. already returning from injury, the linebacker corps was looking strong. Then the Browns drafted Genard Avery and signed Mychal Kendricks.

Kendricks, Christian Kirksey, and Collins are all starters in the NFL and Avery has been a beast in training camp so far. That’s slowly led to us thinking Schobert could get lost in a numbers crunch after his spectacular season.

Not if he has anything to do with it. His name keeps popping up as a player doing his job correctly and the coaching staff even believes the added players can be a positive. Head coach Hue Jackson spoke with Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal and said a rotation could be good for all.

"“But could Joe Schobert be better if he doesn’t have to play every snap? Can he take a series off and breathe for a second because we have some talented guys? I don’t know how that’s going to shake out. But we have some guys that can play, and that’s a good thing. I think that’s a good problem to have.” — Jackson said via Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal"

No matter how it all shakes out, don’t expect Schobert to spend much time riding the pine.