Cleveland Browns: 20 best draft day steals of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
Pick Analysis. LB. Wisconsin, 2016. JoeSchobert. Scouting Report. 18. player. 809
Cleveland Browns best NFL Draft steals of all time: 18. Joe Schobert
There’s something about Wisconsin players that makes them appealing when they enter the NFL. Maybe there’s some bias there due to how well Cleveland selecting Joe Thomas in 2007 worked out, but kids who were groomed in the Badgers’ system just seem like they’re going to give it all they have — and then some.
That’s probably the best way to describe Joe Schobert, who is just an all-around solid middle linebacker for the Browns. Schobert joined the Dawg Pound in 2016 as the No. 99 overall selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
His selection came following a senior campaign that saw him rack up 79 tackles with 19.5 going for a loss. Schobert also added 9.5 sacks, showing how effective he can be when attacking the quarterback.
As a rookie, Schobert was rather quiet. He started in four games but was relegated to reserve duty and finished with just 16 tackles. However, his second season he was involved much more with the base defense.
That season, Schobert tied with Blake Martinez of the Green Bay Packers and Preston Brown of the Buffalo Bills for the NFL lead in tackles with 144. The sophomore linebacker was named to the Pro Bowl for his work that season.
In 2018, he continued to play well and again topped triple digits in tackles, despite missing three games. Even with the missed time, he was credited with 103 tackles.
Schobert even set the team up for a potential Week 1 upset when he recovered a fumble and ran it back 28 yards to set the Browns up for a shot at a game-winning kick in overtime. The attempt was blocked, but Schobert did his part to help his team and should continue to do so for years to come.”