Cleveland Browns: Top 5 prospects to watch during Scouting Combine

Should the Browns decide not to re-sign Joe Schobert, they’re going to have two issues to deal with. One is the backlash they will receive from fans. Schobert has become one of the more popular players on the team and it seems as though not one fan can fathom a world where Schobert is not wearing the orange and brown.

The second issue will be trying to land a new starting middle linebacker. Out of the two problems, the second is the real concern. Fans will get upset but if the team decides they can do as good — or better — than Schobert while also saving money, then they have to do it. But they also have to make sure they can deliver a new starter and right now, there’s no one on the team that can have the same impact on the game that No. 53 does.

Of course, in the upcoming draft, there is one player who could end up being an upgrade — Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Listed at 6-foot-4 and just under 230-pounds, Simmons is a big play waiting to happen. He’s got a nose for the ball and has the kind of speed to make plays from one sideline to the other with ease.

He’s also an excellent player in pass coverage and even has the ability to play safety. He wouldn’t move to that spot full-time, but his ability to cover tight ends would be a welcome addition considering this has been a massive weakness for the Browns for many years.

Simmons will be a joy to watch in the Scouting Combine but the only question is whether or not he will be there at No. 10 for Cleveland. If so, he would be worth taking, even if it means they have to wait on offensive tackle which is a bigger need.