Browns roster: Make or break training camp for Mack Wilson

Mack Wilson is gearing up for his third season, but this training camp could be make or break for him as he tries to make the Browns roster

Entering the 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns have high expectations because of the entire offense returning and a revamped defense in the offseason.

One player to watch heading into training camp is third-year linebacker, Mack Wilson.

Wilson was drafted in the fifth round of the 20019 NFL Draft out of Alabama and has had up and down success in his first two campaigns. He has battled injuries dating back to his time as a member of the Crimson Tide and last year was no different.

In the middle of August, Wilson suffered a hyperextended knee during practice, causing him to miss some time, including the first two weeks of the regular season. He never seemed to quite fully bounce back from that.

During the offseason, Wilson has gotten himself into tremendous shape and was at the voluntary OTAs earlier this offseason and was one of the only defensive veterans to have full participation.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Wilson “attached himself at the hip” to veteran linebacker Anthony Walker, who was signed during free agency.

Wilson picking the brain of Walker could be a huge factor in whether or not he makes the Browns 53-man roster or finds a new home in 2021.

Along with Wilson and Walker, the linebacker room is occupied by Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, among others. If Wilson cannot prove himself worthy of a coveted roster spot, his days in Cleveland may be numbered.

Another factor in this will be how many linebackers the Browns take with them into Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What hurts Wilson’s chances, outside of how he performs in his third year, is the fact that general manager Andrew Berry did not draft him, so there is no attachment there.

Nicholas Manning of Mile High Sports believes Wilson would be an ideal trade target for the Denver Broncos. He states how cheap the contract of Wilson currently is and potentially trading a late-round draft pick for him.

Do not be surprised if Berry goes this route, depending on the factors listed above. He likes having draft capital, whether it be for actually drafting, or using it to make trades to further bolster the roster.

If making an NFL roster was solely determined based on heart, passion, and work ethic, Wilson would not have any questions about him coming into training camp. However, that’s not how it works in the NFL and how you perform is the biggest factor in it all.

I hope Wilson makes the Browns roster and wish him all the success in the world, but at the same time, completely understand if his time in Brown and Orange is coming to an end.