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3 Linebackers Cleveland Browns should target

By Justice Sunderland

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Chicago Bears completes a reception for a first down as Rasul Douglas #32 and Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles defend in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Chicago Bears completes a reception for a first down as Rasul Douglas #32 and Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles defend in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Mark Barron #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers gets ready to make a tackle on Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Mark Barron #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers gets ready to make a tackle on Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. Mark Barron, LB

Another veteran option is Mark Barron who will be entering his tenth NFL season and he is looking to join his fourth team. He will turn 31 during the season so he also isn’t a long term replacement but can fill the gap for a few years.

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Barron started his career as a safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who made him a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2012) but has primarily played linebacker since 2015 so he’s comfortable in the middle of the defense. He has decent speed but has lost a step as he’s gotten older which is expected.

But he hasn’t lost a step making tackles, he had 82 tackles last year and only missed five tackles which is amazing.  He started nine games and played almost 70 percent of the snaps for one of the best defenses in the league.

He is also an effective blitzer recording at least one sack every year of his career including three last season. Barron struggled in pass coverage last year, allowing 73 percent completions when he was the nearest defender.

Barron will likely come cheap but Cleveland will likely have to find a linebacker that is better in coverage so Barron won’t have to play all three downs. But his sure tackling would be an upgrade for a Cleveland defense that missed too many tackles.

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