Cleveland Browns: 4 players to watch on the Bears in Week 3
1. Linebacker Roquan Smith
Roquan Smith is a big, playmaking linebacker that the Browns need to game plan for just as much, if not more than Mack.
In Week 2 against the Bengals, Smith recorded his first-career pick-six against Joe Burrow. He returned the interception 56-yards to the house and that’s just a glimpse of what he’s capable of.
He also recorded a sack, tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit in the win over the Bengals.
If you ask his teammate and former Browns safety, Tashaun Gipson, he is the best linebacker in the game today.
"“Best linebacker in the game — and I tell him that,” safety Tashaun Gipson said. “I’ve been saying that since last year. Having a guy like that makes it easy. He’s just a phenomenal player. He can run like a DB. Hit like a linebacker. He can cover like a DB. I don’t have enough good things to say about Roquan. And he’s turned into a leader. A lot of people don’t realize how young he is. I’m just happy he’s on my team.”"
Mayfield and the Browns will have to be heads up as Smith can do it all from the linebacker position, as Gipson said. Don’t be surprised if he blitzes one play and then covers a receiver or tight end in coverage on the next play.
Next. Jarvis Landry placed on IR, will miss at least 3 weeks. dark
When Smith is playing at the level many believe he can, he causes fits for opposing offenses. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will need to make Smith a high priority in his game plan for the week.