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Cleveland Browns 53-Man roster prediction entering Preseason Week 4

By Randy Gurzi

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Outside linebacker Christian Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns during the first half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Outside linebacker Christian Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns during the first half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Linebacker (6): Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, Genard Avery, Adarius Taylor, Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson

This year, the Browns will use more sets with just two linebackers as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks likes to use a 4-2-5 defense. With that being the case, Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey will be the primary players on the field at this spot.

There are other talented options who can play in traditional formations as well as in sub-packages. The top player behind Scho and Kirksey is Genard Avery, who excelled as a pass rusher as a rookie. A fifth-round pick out of Memphis, Avery has already been quite a steal for John Dorsey and company.

Next is Adarius Taylor, a free agent signing from Tampa Bay. Taylor is a great depth piece and can help on special teams. That’s also where they will be utilizing Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson during their rookie seasons.

Takitaki was a third-round pick but has missed the past couple of weeks with an injury. Wilson was a monster in their preseason debut, picking off two passes, but has been relatively quiet since then. He has a bright future but needs some time to develop.

Willie Harvey, an undrafted free agent from Iowa State, misses the cut, but only barely. Should the Browns decide to go thin somewhere else — such as wide receiver, Harvey could make the team. Having said that, their desire to go with two linebackers in their base defense allows them to go thin on the 53-man roster and possibly just keep extra on the practice squad in case of an emergency down the road.

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