Grading the Cleveland Browns moves during legal tampering
By Jacob Roach
Cleveland Browns tampering period move no. 2 trade for linebacker Chase Winovich
Grade: B-
On Tuesday the Cleveland Browns traded linebacker Mack Wilson to the New England Patriots for linebacker Chase Winovich. This was a classic case of two different style players not fitting with the needs of their current teams. Mack Wilson is a traditional off-ball weakside linebacker and Winovich is more an outside linebacker edge rusher.
The Browns no longer need a weakside linebacker with the drafting of JOK so making this move worked out for both sides. The Browns were desperate to add more talent to the edge room and they may have done that with Winovich.
Winovich spent most of this season injured and didn’t have a major impact but if you look at 2019 and 2020 you see a pretty effective pass rusher. In 2020 Winovich had a total of 37 pressures and 5.5 sacks according to pro football reference. Winovich can step into the role held by Takk McKinley as a pass-rushing specialist for the Browns and do the job well.
Just like the Taven Bryan move, I don’t see this move as a starter or home run but he is solid edge depth where the Browns didn’t have any before. The Browns likely still need a starter at the position but the move to get Winovich was a good one and the quick and athletic rusher should contribute in 2022.