2022 Cleveland Browns: 4 players with a lot to prove
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns player with something to prove No. 3 – Jacob Phillips
In 2020 the Cleveland Browns drafted Jacob Phillips in round three of the draft from LSU. The athletic inside linebacker has made a lot of plays during his tenure with the team, but he has struggled to stay on the field.
With the emergence of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah last year, there will be a lot of pressure on Phillips to not only stay healthy but to take a big step forward in 2022 or he may struggle to see the field.
Phillips is far more talented than Anthony Walker or Sione Takitaki, but if he doesn’t have the progress many are expecting, they could replace him in the Joe Woods system that really only utilizes two linebackers consistently.
JOK and Phillips are the two guys with the most excitement around them, but it remains to be seen if they can be the only two linebackers on the field at the same time. The Browns would be elite in coverage, but would likely be susceptible to the run, especially up the middle.
Injuries have riddled the Browns at linebacker the last three or four seasons. There’s finally some depth at the position, but many are expecting Phillips to be an impact player in year three. If he fails once again to meet expectations, he could be on the move after the 2022 season.