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Cleveland Browns: Second-wave free agents who may be of interest

By Greg Newland

Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) and linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) walk to the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) and linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) walk to the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans running back D’onta Foreman (7) evades Houston Texans linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. /

Cleveland Browns Second Wave Free Agent target No. 1 – Neville Hewitt, Linebacker

With cryptic tweets by Mack Wilson, and really only three other starting-caliber linebackers on the roster in Jacob Phillips, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Sione Takitaki, I would expect the Browns to look for a veteran linebacker.

The three guys listed above are all adequate, but Phillips and JOK both have struggled with injuries early in their careers. If one of those two guys missed snaps next year with the roster as is, this defense would be in trouble.

I really liked Neville Hewitt last offseason, but it does appear he may have been a good player on a really bad team. After 134 tackles in 2020 with the New York Jets, Hewitt struggled to see the field in 2021 with the Texans and only had 60 tackles.

We all know he is a tackling machine if he is on the field but, are they all eight yards downfield like we saw so often with a guy like Joe Schobert (who I still love)?

The bottom line is, Hewitt is a guy with seven years of experience, over 400 tackles, and will come at a good price. I’m not saying he will make the pro-bowl for the Cleveland Browns in 2022, but he certainly is more than capable to play, especially if there are injuries that always seem to happen.

Next. 5 Bold Browns predictions in free agency. dark

If not Hewitt, look for Berry to add a veteran linebacker who doesn’t cost a ton of money.

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