Cleveland Browns rookie linebackers already impressing coaching staff

Cleveland Browns rookie linebackers Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki are already impressing the coaching staff after just a few months.

At the start of the offseason, the linebacker position seemed like one of the bigger needs on the Cleveland Browns’ roster. The Browns front office must have felt the same, doubling down on the position during the 2019 NFL Draft.

Third-round selection Sione Takitaki and fifth-round selection Mack Wilson may not have worked with the first-team defense often during the offseason program, but their play has reportedly caught the eye of the Browns coaching staff.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Cleveland’s coaching staff has been impressed by the two rookie linebackers this offseason. Wilson and Takitaki have played well enough so far that they may take some playing time from veteran linebackers.

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"Currently, it’s Schobert and Kirskey when the Browns are in the nickel, but Takitaki will likely make a strong case to be one of two ‘backers in sub-defenses. Wilson is starting to look like a steal in the fifth round, and could siphon some reps. – Cabot, Cleveland.com"

The two rookies were behind veteran linebackers Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, and Adarius Taylor on the depth chart during the offseason program. However, as Cabot notes, the rookies have played well enough to where they could take some snaps away from the three veterans by the time the season rolls around.

In defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ defense, the Browns are not expected to play with three linebackers on the field often, so Schobert and Kirksey should see most of the time on the field. However, as the Browns look to improve their run defense that ranked 28th in the league last season, they will take a look at every option available to them.

However, the linebackers have not been able to show much so far in that capacity because they have not put the pads on. Once training camp rolls around and the linebackers can hit, that is when the roles for the linebackers will truly be laid out.

But as most of the offseason was used for installing the new defense, it should be a good sign that the rookie linebackers impressed the coaching staff because it means they are likely picking up the defense quickly.

Wilson and Takitaki may only have rotational roles in 2019, but they could play themselves into more meaningful snaps during training camp. The Browns may hope Wilson and Takitaki take over starting roles in 2020, but if they continue to impress the coaching staff, they could have larger roles than expected in 2019.