Cleveland Browns: 3 under the radar areas of need

Cleveland Browns Position of Weakness No. 2 – Linebacker

I know, every offseason you hear me go on and on about how the Cleveland Browns need to spend big at the linebacker position.  This goes back to when the team refused to pay Joe Schobert, who has since proved why he didn’t get the payday from the Browns.

I think the position is in good shape right now with Jacob Phillips and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as the main starters. But with Anthony Walker out of contract, I worry about the depth.

Sione Takitaki is an average third linebacker when the Browns need him on the field, but there isn’t much after that. Maybe Tony Field or Mack Wilson can really step up this year, but we haven’t seen a lot that gives me a ton of confidence in that idea.

Also remember, Phillips and JOK have both been sidelined with injuries in the past. You can almost bet money that one of these guys is going to at least miss one game next year. If you take one of these guys out, you go from pretty good, to pretty bad at this position in a hurry.

I’m not saying they need to sign a $15 million per year guy, but I would expect them to sign a veteran who still can play. Truthfully, I wouldn’t be upset to see Walker come back. He wasn’t an elite linebacker, but he certainly is a starting-caliber guy and can make some plays. Berry just can’t afford to overpay him.

I’m not sold this position should be fixed in the draft. Yes, a young guy could come in and make an instant impact, but linebacker is a tough transition and you could also get a bust and still be in a tough situation.