The Cleveland Browns have taken a run-it-back approach for the most part this offseason, They snagged a major building block with the Jerry Jeudy trade and some new names is joining Deshaun Watson in the quarterback room. But otherwise, their biggest splashes have been resigning most of their veteran depth following a largely successful 2023 season.
That is, except for one position.
The New-Look Cleveland Browns Linebacker Corps
The linebacker room has often been the most overlooked position on the Cleveland Browns. Last year, the team made several major signings on the defense. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson got $57 million. $21 million went to safety Juan Thornhill. They traded for Za’Darius Smith and signed close to a half dozen other linemen.
Meanwhile, at linebacker? The team resigned Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki for $1.2 million and $2.6 million apiece. This, in a year, featured a brand new defensive scheme. However, neither thrived – only Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah made a significant impact for the team. As the season went on, Owusu-Koramoah seemed to be all over the field as he set career highs in tackles (101), sacks (3.5), passes defended (6), and stuffs (21.5). He now is in line for a major extension shortly.
Meanwhile, neither Walker nor Takitaki made a major impact in Jim Schwartz’s pressure-heavy defense. Now, neither remains with the Cleveland Browns, as both were replaced during the first week of free agency.
MLB Jordan Hicks
While Walker’s best days as an athlete and player seemed to be behind him in 2023, his leadership skills were exemplary. As a middle linebacker, Walker was the defense’s primary signal caller, essentially quarterbacking the unit. He missed time with injuries each of the last two seasons, and the defense generally suffered as a result.
General Manager Andrew Berry clearly noticed. One of the team’s first moves was to snag linebacker Jordan Hicks late of the Minnesota Vikings. Though Jordan Hicks is three years older than Walker, he doesn’t come with the injury baggage. Prior to missing four games last season, he hadn’t missed a start in five years.
Berry managed to get Hicks to commit for just $8 million over two seasons, a relative bargain. Hicks has racked up an astounding 619 tackles over the last five years. He’s also hauled in six interceptions during that time, as well as 30 passes defended.
Most importantly, he’s been known as a veteran leader at every stop. He also mostly plays inside and is used to calling the signals for the team from that spot. He’s also familiar with the playbook, having worked under Schwartz for three years with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hicks also has played with Tomlinson and Smith in Minnesota and safety Rodney McLeod with the Eagles.
“When I look back on my career and I look back at the times and the years that I played as clear-minded as I ever have, it was with… Coach Schwartz,” said Hicks.
OLB Devin Bush Jr.
Owusu-Koramoah and Hicks (like Walker before him) have specifically defined roles. Owusu-Koramoah wreaks havoc in space on the outside, while Hicks will lead and cover the second level inside. Traditionally, teams who play with the 4-3 front like the Cleveland Browns would employ three linebackers as full-time starters. However, Schwartz puts more emphasis on the defensive line and defensive back spots. At times, he might employ an extra pass rusher or a safety like McLeod. Because the Browns also have perhaps the league’s best cornerback trio in Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Greg Newsome II, they try to get all three on the field as often as possible.
This means the Browns are often using just two linebackers. This is one of the reasons the team has not put a large emphasis on the position in recent years. It’s also why they have the luxury of taking a flier on Devin Bush Jr.
Bush, a former top-ten overall pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has never lived up to expectations. He got off to a decent start in his rookie year, racking up 109 total tackles with two interceptions, four fumble recoveries and four passes defended. But he had a major knee injury in his sophomore campaign and never really recovered in Pittsburgh. After his return, he consistently graded out as one of the worst defenders on the team. He went to Seattle last season and barely saw the field, with just 251 snaps across 13 games.
How the Cleveland Browns Linebackers Will Look in 2024
Other than Owusu-Koramoah, the Cleveland Browns will return reserves Tony Fields, Mohamoud Diabate, and Charlie Thomas. Fields is a 2021 fifth-round pick who has played consistently as a reserve. Diabate and Thomas were undrafted in 2023, and neither has any significant playing time. Fields can play either inside or outside. Diabate and Thomas are both primarily outline backers.
Even with Hicks holding down the middle, it seems likely the Browns will look for another veteran reserve at the spot. The team had yet to develop a good reserve for Walker as a signal-caller. In a win-now mentality, Cleveland can ill afford not to have an insurance policy at the position. It also seems likely that Berry will look for another developmental player late in the draft. After all, Hicks will turn 32 before the season starts.
Who the Browns will employ opposite Owusu-Koramoah is anyone’s guess… or even how often they’ll employ anyone in the spot at all. However, when they do, it seems like a horserace between Fields and Bush. Fields has experience in the system but is limited athletically. Bush, on the other hand, is much more gifted athletically. If Schwartz can help him regain his lost confidence, he could well be a steal. There’s also a chance the team could grab another veteran on the outside. Often, reserve linebackers are prized on special teams as well. Matthew Adams played that role for the Browns in 2023 but is currently a free agent.
No matter how things develop, the linebackers look to be the most changed unit on the 2024 Cleveland Browns.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
