Cleveland Browns roster: Final 53-man roster prediction for 2021

BEREA, OH - AUGUST 10: Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 10, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - AUGUST 10: Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 10, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #56 of the Cleveland Browns runs a play during the first quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns Linebackers (5)

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Anthony Walker
Malcolm Smith
Sione Takitaki
Mack Wilson

Known as the weak point on the team to many, the Cleveland Browns’ linebacking core might not be so bad after all.

Veteran Anthony Walker (their prized free-agent addition from the Indianapolis Colts) will lead the defense in the middle and be joined by a rotation of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Malcolm Smith, Sione Takitaki, and Mack Wilson.

Owusu-Koramoah, Takitaki, and Wilson are all young linebackers who have room to improve — and JOK has already proven he can play now even before making any such improvements. If Wilson returns to his rookie form, Takitaki continues to develop and Owusu-Koramoah turns out to be what we all believe he will, this could quickly turn to a really good core in the middle of the defense.

Fifth-round rookie linebacker Tony Fields has been out the majority of training camp and has not played in the preseason because of a foot injury. While the Browns would love to keep him, it may be hard because the team has not seen what he can do on the field. This could be a surprise cut but it also could become reality.

Tough Cut: Tony Fields