Cleveland Browns looking to add linebacker depth with a Super Bowl MVP

Cleveland Browns are looking to add linebacker depth after Mack Wilson’s injury.

After hardly addressing the linebacker position during the offseason, the Cleveland Browns now have a massive hole at linebacker following Mack Wilson‘s injury Tuesday. To try to fill the need, the Browns will be bringing in Malcolm Smith for a workout, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The 31-year-old linebacker played in only four games last season, splitting time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. In those four games, Smith made only five tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.

Smith has some experience with Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver, who was Smith’s linebacker coach for one season with the 49ers in 2017. Smith never played a regular season snap under Tarver, as Smith was placed on injured reserve during training camp.

After winning MVP in Super Bowl XLVIII, Smith has been unable to capitalize on his success in the Big Game. Smith’s best season in the NFL came in 2015 with the Oakland Raiders, as he started in all 16 games and made 122 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and three passes defensed.

Smith has battled injuries the past few seasons, playing in only 16 games the past three seasons. Prior to his injury, Smith proved to be a solid coverage linebacker who can also come up and make tackles against the run. However, injuries have slowed Smith down and he is not as fluent making plays as he was during his time with the Seahawks and Raiders.

The Browns deciding to bring Smith in for a workout comes on top of the news that Wilson will be missing at least the start of the regular season. After a severe hyperextension of his left knee, Wilson is looking at potentially missing six-to-eight weeks if he decides not to have surgery, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Wilson’s injury leaves the Browns starting linebacker group consisting of B.J. Goodson, Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis. Rookie Jacob Phillips is expected to get first-team reps as well, but overall the Browns are left with an inexperienced group of linebackers who have only performed at a subpar level in the NFL.

Without Wilson as a starting linebacker, the Browns were going to need to add depth to the group, especially a linebacker with starting experience. The Browns front office does not believe linebacker is a valued position group, thus why they did not invest in the unit during the offseason.

Although Smith performed well in his career, he is not a linebacker who will transform the Browns defense. Instead, he could be a steadying addition to a lineup that lacks experience and proven performance in the middle of the defense.