Predicting Cleveland Browns 2020 Depth Chart: Linebacker
By Randy Gurzi
Starting Linebackers
Mack Wilson
Last season, the Cleveland Browns found themselves a potential steal in the fifth-round when Alabama’s Mack Wilson was still on the board. While he hurt his stock during his final season with the Tide, Wilson was still a playmaker for them and performed against some of the best competition in the NCAA.
He then lit it up in the preseason which really had fans in the Dawg Pound excited for what was to come. However, he was later thrust into action and we were reminded of why Wilson slipped in the draft.
The tools are there but his processing speed isn’t up to par and he was out of position far too often. Having said that, there was a lot to build on and he enters 2020 as the top linebacker on this roster — and his ability in the passing game is going to continue to help him make fans.
Jacob Phillips
In this past draft, the Browns added Jacob Phillips in the third round. Like Mack Wilson, Phillips played in the SEC, serving as the No. 1 tackler for the LSU Tigers during their championship run in 2019. Phillips won’t enter camp as the No. 2 linebacker but don’t expect that to remain the case for long.
His instincts and leadership will help him as he and Wilson should end up being the starters in Joe Woods 4-2-5 defense for the next couple of seasons at least.