3 Browns plummeting down the depth chart in training camp

1. Sione Takitaki, LB

The Browns were reportedly looking at extending Sione Takitaki during the offseason, but since camp started, his name has hardly been mentioned.

Cleveland’s defensive scheme — which is run by defensive coordinator Joe Woods — leans on just two linebackers for the most part. One lock at the position is second-year player Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

He might not have ideal size for a linebacker, but JOK was a menace — especially as the season went along. Huge things are expected from him in 2022 and the same can be said of Jacob Phillips who enters his third season in the NFL.

A third-round pick in 2020, Phillips has dealt with a litany of injuries that have limited him to just 13 games in two years. But when he does play, his speed and instincts are evident and he flies all over the field.

With Phillips and Owusu-Koramoah serving as the top two linebackers, this pushes Anthony Walker to third on the depth chart. Walker, in his first season with the Browns, had 113 tackles and a sack in 13 games. He’s been working at one of the outside linebacker roles during training camp while Phillips works in the middle — where Walker played in 2021.

The fact that Walker could potentially move to one of the two outside spots — across from JOK — means Takitaki might not see the field near as much this season.