5 Cleveland Browns who could take a step back in 2021

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Cleveland Browns’ Malcolm Smith is chased down by Washington’s Dontrelle Inman after a fourth quarter interception on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 34-20. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns6 1 /

1. Malcolm Smith

Mack Wilson suffered a knee injury late in training camp, which changed the team’s linebacker plans. Smith was signed shortly before the season began, and wound up being one of 2020’s best value signings. He made the league minimum, but finished seventh among eligible LBs in PFF coverage grade. He was not much of a factor against the run, but that was not his role as the will.

A former Super Bowl MVP, Smith has not been able to repeat his big game performance, but 2020 was certainly his best campaign since 2013.

Smith will turn 32 in August, and his roster spot is far from guaranteed. As long as he is on the team, he’s probably the starting will, but there are two younger players who will be pushing him.

Second-year man Jacob Phillips displayed some high-end flashes when healthy, and while mike may be his long-term spot, that role is Anthony Walker’s this season. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah seems like he’s being groomed as a will, but considering he did not do linebacker things at Notre Dame, that transition will likely be bumpy and take some time.

Next. 3 rookies with unrealistic expectations for 2021. dark

Age, a crowded room, and the fact that his 2020 season was an outlier makes Smith a likely candidate to take a step back, if he makes the team.

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