3 Linebackers the Cleveland Browns should still consider in free agency

Nov 29, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) celebrates with teammates after a defensive stop against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) celebrates with teammates after a defensive stop against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates with inside linebacker Avery Williamson (51) during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Avery Williamson

Another interesting name that remains on the market is Avery Williamson. In a seven-year career, Williamson has over 600 tackles as well as 29 tackles for loss. The unfortunate thing for Williamson that keeps him in the market, he is an old-school downhill guy.

Williamson doesn’t have a ton of athleticism to play side to side, but he is an elite run defender and has continued to improve in pass coverage.

After being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers midway through the 2020 season, he finished the season strong and had 52 tackles in 8 games and 4 starts with the team.

Truthfully, Williamson is the best fit as an interior 3-4 linebacker (like the Steelers), but unfortunately, they have too many salary cap concerns to keep him. Not that Williamson will demand that much money, but more the Steelers are a giant mess.

Williamson will be a guy in that $4-5 million per year range and could be another guy who wants a short-term deal to prove himself one more time before he turns 30. Williamson and Walker would likely be targeted in the passing game but would be a brick wall when it came to the running game.

Having five defensive backs on the field could also help with those concerns.