The 3 biggest mistakes by the Cleveland Browns this offseason
By Greg Newland
2. No strong additions at linebacker
Fans love Mack Wilson at linebacker, but the film shows there is still much improvement needed to become a solid NFL linebacker. For a fifth-round pick, let’s not complain and chalk it up as a win. However, I’m not sure the same can be said for the rest of the linebacking core.
Wilson, Sione Takitaki, B.J. Goodson, and rookie Jacob Phillips look to carry the load in the 2020 season with a few others on the depth chart that will be limited to special teams. Of the four, Wilson is the only that has been an every-down player.
Takitaki comes into year two with limited field experience but high expectations. Goodson has been in the league four seasons and is known as a run stopper but has never had more than 44 tackles in a season. Phillips is a rookie third-round pick who could get thrown into action early much like Wilson last year because of the lack of talent.
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods has already shared that he wants to utilize the dime package which requires only two linebackers on the field. After troubles stopping the run last season fans are nervous it will be a reoccurring issue in 2020.
Maybe Takitaki and Wilson will each take huge progressions from year one to year two, but at this moment it is a glaring weakness. Analytical regimes may not value the linebacker position, but you must have someone who can get the team lined up properly.
There is still time for Berry to sign a guy like Nigel Bradham or a veteran who gets cut before final rosters, but at this moment Berry seems committed to the group they have. The defensive line (assuming no injuries) is strong enough to hide the position at times, but one of these guys is going to have to have a breakout year for the Browns to be successful on defense.