Retooling the Cleveland Browns 2.0: Mock draft post-Senior Bowl
By Mitch Zoloty
![ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F951975802-1-850x560-ccc732bd516670c004212c22ef26928ba0079eb70e2866107a15f90fd1c6eb62.jpg)
Sadly, the Browns need to start preparing themselves for life after Joe Schobert. Malik Harrison could be one guy who helps fill the role that Schobert might leave behind. Even though he played outside linebacker in college, he could very well find himself as a MIKE linebacker in the NFL, the same role that Schobert played for the Browns in 2019.
Even if Schobert comes back, you could see the more agile and faster Schobert get bumped to SAM linebacker if the Browns do end up selecting Harrison, as Schobert has the coverage skills. For a good review of Malik Harrison as a draft prospect, click here.
He makes up for what Schobert struggles with, which is tackling. Harrison only missed two tackles his senior season, according to Pro Football Focus. If you’ve watched a Browns game in 2019, you know the team needs help with tackling.
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Sure, this may be drafting Harrison a little high, but it fills a role that the Browns defense desperately needs to fill for 2020. Getting a guy who isn’t going to miss tackles will help this defense out tremendously. A linebacker core of Mack Wilson, Harrison, and Schobert would be deadly.
The team could also keep Schobert at MIKE and rotate the three linebackers at the interior linebacker spots, which wouldn’t be a bad idea also. Wilson showed flashes of being a legit WILL linebacker his rookie season, but struggled in some aspects enough that it wouldn’t hurt to bring in competition.
Christian Kirksey is still under contract also, but he could see himself sadly get cut because of his high cap hit. The linebacker position is very hard to project for the Browns in 2020, so drafting a good talent high in the draft would provide a valuable place to start.