Cleveland Browns rookie LB’s Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki a perfect pair?

The Cleveland Browns pairing of rookie linebackers Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki may be depth guys now, but could become the future at the position.

The Cleveland Browns doubled up on rookie linebackers during the 2019 NFL Draft when they selected Sione Takitaki in the third round and Mack Wilson in the fifth round. And the addition of both players addressed a major need for depth at the position group.

During the start of training camp, that is what the two rookie have been: depth. With Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey leading the first-team defense, Takitaki and Wilson have primarily worked with the second-team defense and some with the third-team defense.

But early on into their NFL careers, the two rookie linebackers have already started to build a connection, as mentioned by Dan Labbe of cleveland.com. Because the two are training camp roommates, they are learning each other’s quirks every day.

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"Or maybe he’s just not used to getting to lay down often because his roommate is keeping him up at night. That roommate is third-round pick Sione Takitaki, and, according to Wilson, it’s a little hard to sleep sometimes with him around.“It can be like 12 (AM) and I’d be trying to go ahead and get me some rest,” Wilson said, “he’ll be in there hollering out the plays to himself and going over everything.” – Labbe, Cleveland.com"

Even with Takitaki staying up late to study and keeping Wilson awake at the same time, both players have opened some eyes during training camp. And they are doing it in their own ways, which could make them the perfect pairing in the future for the Browns.

Takitaki’s intensity has been one of the stories of Browns camp so far, and it has shown as he has made some of the biggest hits. His aggressive play style has translated well into jumping into gaps and making plays against the run. And after being one of the worst teams against the run last season, the Browns need a linebacker who can become a run-stuffer.

But there are limits to Takitaki’s aggressive style as it has caused him to struggle when in space. Takitaki is not known for his pass coverage and it is one of his most obvious weaknesses. But even with his problems in coverage, that is why playing next to Wilson has created a perfect pairing.

Wilson’s best ability is his athleticism, which translates incredibly well when he drops in coverage. He can move easily when in space and puts himself in position to make a play on a throw, as well as being able to run with tight ends and receivers. He showed off his pass coverage prowess when he intercepted a Drew Stanton pass on Friday.

Although Wilson’s six-foot-one and 240 pound frame helps him excel in coverage, it creates some trouble for him when trying to get off blocks and make plays against the run. Stopping the run was one of his struggles in college as he was sometimes too conservative when attacking a gap. But luckily for Wilson, he is playing next to a linebacker who is not afraid to shoot a gap to make a play against the run.

Takitaki and Wilson both bring different abilities to the table as linebackers when they are on the field. And for the most part, the other excels in areas where the other struggles, which could help cover up some of their issues.

They may just be rookies and playing as the backup linebackers currently, but the pairing of Takitaki and Wilson could be the future of the Cleveland Browns defense. And they may be the perfect pair to be the team’s future starting linebackers with some more development.