Coming into the 2017 season, it’s clear that the Cleveland Browns linebackers are some of their strongest players. Although the front seven as a whole is solid, the linebackers are truly something to behold. But in a 4-2-5 defense like the one Gregg Williams wants to run, they might go under-appreciated. However, they are still one of the most important lines of the defense. So let’s take a look at the Cleveland Browns linebacker depth chart, and check out what makes them so great.
Cleveland Browns Linebacker Depth Chart Projections
1. Jamie Collins
Of course. No doubt about it, Jamie Collins is the number one option in terms of Browns linebackers. When the Browns traded for Collins midseason last year, they actually sent away a draft pick. In the world of Sashi Brown and this Cleveland regime, those are the ultimate forms of currency. But the Browns were willing to give up a pick for Collins last year. Perhaps even more impressive than that, they retained Collins with a contract extension this past off-season. Not many were expecting Collins to stay in Cleveland after they went 1-15 last year, but everyone’s got a price, it seems.
In any case, Collins is a supreme linebacker. Throughout the whole of 2016, he collected 112 total tackles, 69 of them with the Browns. He also added two sacks to his resume in Cleveland. With those kinds of numbers, there’s no way Collins isn’t at the top of the depth chart.
2. Christian Kirksey
Here’s the other half of your dynamic duo, Cleveland. Coming out of Iowa in 2014, many scouts saw Christian Kirksey merely as a special teams style player. The Browns took a flyer on Kirksey in the third round, and in 2016, something just clicked. Kirksey exploded, racking up a monstrous 148 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He’s pretty much a lock to start across from Jamie Collins this season. From the looks of it, Kirksey is here to stay. Oh yeah, and he’s only 24.
3. Tank Carder
One of the veterans of this Browns linebacker group, Tank Carder will likely be a reserve player this season. However, that does not mean he can’t be productive. Whether he’s playing on defense or special teams, Carder can definitely make plays. In the case that the Browns do deploy a “normal” 4-3 set, he could start as the middle linebacker. As it stands right now though, he’ll be a reserve in the Browns regular 4-2-5 defensive set.
4. Joe Schobert
Although he’s a bit undersized, Joe Schobert could still make an impact on this Browns roster. Sure, he might have to wait for his shot, but the Wisconsin product definitely has a good amount of potential. Schobert is somewhat undersized for a linebacker, but he makes up for it in blazing speed. “Joe the Show” was the fastest linebacker in his class in the 60-yard shuttle. If he wants a shot in the Browns linebacker corps, he’ll have to showcase that speed in the pre-season. If not, he’ll certainly be a solid reserve and special teams player, especially with his quickness.
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