Cleveland Browns Free Agency/Draft preview for 2021 defense
By Greg Newland
Linebackers
One of the most underrated moves of the entire offseason was the Cleveland Browns addition of Anthony Walker in free agency from the Indianapolis Colts. Walker not only is a strong performer on the field, but he will also be the vocal leader of the locker room which will be needed after the departure of B.J. Goodson.
After Walker, the roster has a ton of question marks. Jacob Phillips who will be entering year two in the NFL looked great at times as a rookie but struggled to stay on the field with injuries.
Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki will both be entering year three in the NFL, and neither have quite developed into NFL starters.
Malcolm Smith has been brought back on a one-year deal, but in his 11th NFL season, he’s no longer an every-down player and was brought in more as a veteran presence.
Even with defensive coordinator Joe Woods wanting to shift to the dime 4-2-5 scheme more and more, there will still be plenty of situations when the team will need a third linebacker on the field. While Smith, Takitaki, and Wilson can play that role, I still won’t be surprised at all to see Berry try and improve the position.
Don’t look for the Browns to make any more moves in free agency at linebacker, but they could really surprise you in the draft. Don’t be shocked if the Browns go linebacker at no. 26 for a few reasons. One, they need depth and improved talent. Two, there is no other player worth taking at another position.
Many will be frustrated if the Browns go linebacker in round one, but I won’t be shocked. If that is the case, Wilson and Takitaki could be on the outside looking in on making the roster unless they show great improvement in training camp.