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4 Cleveland Browns who could emerge as impact players in 2021

By Elliot Kennel

Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Porter Gustin (97) warms up before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Porter Gustin (97) warms up before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) is introduced before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Sione Takitaki is ready to step up

Sione Takitaki should be a no-brainer that he is one of two starting linebackers. However, the buzz out of Berea is that recent acquisition Anthony Walker from Indianapolis will be an every-down linebacker and will usually call signals for the defense.

Given that their base defense will be 4-2-5 rather than the more traditional 4-3-4, there’s not a lot of room for other starters. However the Browns have legit players, including Mack Wilson, with 22 career starts for the Browns; and Malcolm Smith, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII; Jacob Philips the third-round pick from a year ago who started three games last season; rookie hybrid safety/linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Tony Fields. Holy mackerel, man!

Owusu-Koramoah might be the starting strong safety rather than a linebacker.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1348486295341981697?s=20

Right now the Browns are enamored with veteran Walker, who is a team leader, coach-on-the-field type that they would like to have on the field calling plays. He was a highly respected leader for the Indianapolis Colts and he’s only 26, so when they are talking about “veteran leadership,” it’s not like he is a World War II veteran or something.

Takitaki is a 4.63 guy who weighs 233 pounds and started to really show great skill against the run last season. Pro Football Focus ranked him second in the NFL among linebackers against the run last season.

In 434 snaps (40% of the Browns defensive snaps), he had 67 tackles. If, hypothetically, he had maintained the rate for 100% of the Browns defensive snaps, that comes out to a ridiculous 167 tackles. This is an insane number of tackles. It is very likely that Takitaki will at least be in the lineup during nominal running downs, with liberal substitutions being made depending on the situation.

Walker will be on the field for all three downs, at least initially, but that is subject to change, depending on how other linebackers perform. This writer predicts that the longer the season goes on, the more Takitaki is going to play. He seems destined to excel.

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