3 Cleveland Browns who will break out after the bye week

2. Sione Takitaki, Linebacker

Sione Takitaki has seen a lot of time on the field this season due to the lack of capable linebackers on the Browns roster. This, of course, is due to the departures of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey in the offseason.

The linebacker play as a unit has been fairly poor up to this point for the Cleveland Browns. The linebackers have been abysmal in coverage, seeming slow, as well as missing many tackles that seem routine. This unit needs someone to step up and take charge as they seem lost against any semi-capable offense.

Takitaki is the perfect guy to step up into a new role in the second half of the season. He’s full of raw athleticism and can fly around the field. This, ultimately, was the reason the Browns spent a 3rd round pick on him in the 2019 NFL Draft.

He has taken some time to get acclimated to the league as he struggled mightily in his rookie year. Takitaki seems to still make some mental errors, but they seem to be becoming fewer and further between. Takitaki has shown many signs of growth and development throughout his short career and this should continue.

Takitaki’s raw athleticism, speed, and ability to fly to the ball is something that the Browns need badly on defense. If he can continue to work on the mental errors, he can be the piece that turns the Browns defense around as the team races towards a playoff appearance.