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2022 Cleveland Browns: 4 players with a lot to prove

By Greg Newland

Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit (22) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit (22) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
BEREA, OHIO – AUGUST 16: Sione Takitaki #44 and Jacob Phillips #50 of the Cleveland Browns huddle with other members of the defense during training camp on August 16, 2020 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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.

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