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3 Cleveland Browns pending free agents that need to be re-signed

By Randy Gurzi

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Diontae Spencer #11 of the Denver Broncos is stripped of the ball by Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns after a second-quarter catch at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Diontae Spencer #11 of the Denver Broncos is stripped of the ball by Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns after a second-quarter catch at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball away from outside linebacker Genard Avery #55 and middle linebacker Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball away from outside linebacker Genard Avery #55 and middle linebacker Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Joe Schobert, LB

This last one may be the most discussed of the season. Fans love middle linebacker Joe Schobert and he’s having a great season. The man who led the NFL in tackles in 2017 with 142 followed that up with 103 tackles last year, despite missing three games.

So far in 2019, he’s on pace to make it a third season in a row with triple digits as he’s registered 82 in the first nine games. He’s also been credited with two forced fumbles, one recovery, and a quarterback sack.

Even so, the Browns have yet to lock him up long-term and with the way John Dorsey added linebackers ahead of the 2019 season, there are plenty of reasons to think that he might be thinking about life without Schobert in the future.

That shouldn’t be the case though as this young man is still improving every week. He has had his share of missed tackles, which is a concern, but you can’t teach his instincts or nose for the ball.

It won’t be cheap to pay Schobert but he’s a guy that should be retained. He’s been much more durable as of late than fellow veteran Christian Kirksey and there’s no one behind him on the depth chart that can take his place.

Next. Browns bolster trenches in 7-round mock draft. dark

Allowing Schobert to walk will create a big hole in the middle of their defense. Retaining him would allow them to spend more time in the offseason trying to fix their offensive line and safety group.

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