Throughout the 2016 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns used a 3-4 defense under Ray Horton. Following the season, the Browns fired Horton on account of his sub-par production and hired Gregg Williams. The Browns had an awful defense last season (especially in the secondary), which the hiring of Williams should help with. However, their front seven improved during the 2016 season. While the defensive line still needs some work, the crew of linebackers in Cleveland made some pretty big strides in 2016. Browns fans should expect even more from their team’s middle line of defense in 2017. Class is in session, and today, we’re grading the linebackers for the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns Season Grades: Linebackers
Emmanuel Ogbah: B
In the Browns 3-4 defense, rookie Emmanuel Ogbah played as a linebacker instead of a defensive lineman. Following a slow start to the season, Ogbah’s production picked up near the back end of 2016. For playing out of position, Ogbah was phenomenal for the Browns. It is more than likely that he will be playing on the defensive line for Gregg Williams in 2017.
As stated before, Ogbah did very well for a man playing out of position. While in college, Ogbah was a monster on the defensive line for Oklahoma State University. With the analytics approach that the current regime is taking for the Browns, he was a dream in the 2016 draft class. If he can polish himself up while playing in position in 2017, Ogbah could return to his dominant state. With his upside, expect great things from Ogbah in the coming years. In 2016, he was a solid B.
Christian Kirksey: B+
Christian Kirksey had a breakout year in 2016. Cleveland selected the Iowa product in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he has been, solid, yet only mediocre. However, he does possess a skill that all linebackers should have. Kirksey is an incredible tackler. He showed off his tackling skills in 2016, racking up 148 total tackles on the season.
Kirksey became an anchor for the middle of the Browns defense, and the team often counted on him for defensive plays. As he soon enters his prime, fans should again be hopeful about Kirksey’s ability. His fundamentals are sound, and his mechanics are there. In 2016, he earned himself a B+.
Jamie Collins: A
Alright, this is the big one. In the middle of the season, Hue Jackson made a blockbuster trade for the New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins. Many fans presumed that Collins would spend half a year with the Browns and then move on to a winning team. However, this was not the case. The biggest part of this move was that the Browns were actually able to lock him up. This gave the Browns a massive advantage on defense, as Collins has become their defensive cornerstone.
Collins can do it all for the Browns. His pass coverage is sound, and his tackling is highly polished. The Bill Belichick influence on him really shines through, and he can be a great player in Cleveland. As the defense around him begins to improve, Collins will be able to focus on his own job even more. Getting help for Collins should be the Browns top priority going into the 2017 season, and he gets a solid A for his 2016 campaign.
Demario Davis: C
Aside from Robert Griffin III, Demario Davis was the “big free-agent signing” for the Browns this year. And just like Griffin, Davis did not pan out to his full extent. Upon leaving a rather good New York Jets defense, some Cleveland fans expected Davis to greatly help their defense. Sadly, he ended up being the worst of their four starting linebackers.
Davis registered a relatively mediocre 99 tackles on the season. While not awful numbers, they are nowhere near his great 2014 campaign where he tallied 116 tackles. His locker room presence may have been a factor in his signing, but in terms of on the field results, Davis was at best okay. He definitely wasn’t anything special and he receives a C.
Composite Grade: B
The linebackers of the Cleveland Browns certainly have a lot of upside as a whole. Though Demario Davis’ spot may need some work, the group is definitely strong. Their potential, as mentioned before, is through the roof. Additionally, building a proper defense around Jamie Collins should prove rather easy. As the defense continues to improve around Collins, he will improve as well. In 2016, the unit receives the pleasantly surprising composite grade of B.
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