An analytical look at the Cleveland Browns linebacker group
B.J. Goodson, Fifth year: 6-foot-1, 241 pounds
B.J. Goodson is another new face signed by the new regime. Goodson is a 2016 fourth round pick by the New York Giants and last year played for the Green Bay Packers. Believe it or not, Goodson will have the most amount of experience in the linebacker room come season start.
After not playing his rookie year, his next two seasons saw him play about 40 percent of defensive snaps. In 2018, Goodson played in 15 games, starting 13, and had 61 tackles in which 44 of them were solo. He added two interceptions to his stat line and played 47 percent of total defensive snaps for the Giants.
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Goodson spent this past season with the Packers and saw significantly less playing time. He played about half the snaps he did from the previous year, bringing his snap count percentage to only 24 percent. Playing 15 games and starting in nine, Goodson had 37 tackles, 23 of which were solo. His missed tackle percentage is low, however, as over the past two seasons, he’s only missed 6.35 percent of tackle attempts.
Goodson not playing a lot of snaps for Green Bay last season may be a red flag, but you can’t deny his experience. Considering how truly young this unit is, they can use someone like him as a seasoned veteran.
Goodson certainly has the frame and build for a linebacker, but depending on how aggressive new defensive coordinator Joe Woods is with his 4-3 scheme, we’ll see if Goodson’s used as a middle or as an outside backer. His stats shine when he plays middle, so hopefully that’s where he finds his footing and position come training camp.