Cleveland Browns preseason player rankings led by Baker Mayfield, OBJ

Players 21-25

21. Genard Avery: The plan to convert Avery to an outside linebacker seems to have been abandoned, and all it took was minicamp for it to happen. That’s not to say the Browns’ won’t try again in Training Camp, though.

Avery seems best suited for running toward the quarterback, and not dropping back into coverage. The Browns took two linebackers in the draft in Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson. Wilson reportedly opened up a lot of eyes in minicamp.

Avery’s still plenty valuable though, as Vernon and Garrett will need breaks.

22. Morgan Burnett: The 10th year vet is going to get the first crack at replacing Jabrill Peppers at strong safety. He’s played some of the fewest snap counts of his career in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. After two years in Pittsburgh, Burnett is back to his original position.

23. Sione Takitaki: When Jim Brown announced his name at the NFL Draft, Browns’ fans everywhere looked at each other and said, “Who?” Fans may quickly learn his name if he is a ferocious as advertised. May end up being a “surprise starter” at some point during the season.

24. Chris Hubbard: Hubbard graded out 51st out of Pro Football Focus’ 85 offensive tackles during the 2018 season. The right tackle is probably the line’s weakest link.

25.Christian Kirksey: The linebacking corps is viewed as the Browns’ weak spot. Will Kirksey make it appreciably better? He only plays din eight games last season before going down with an injury.

Pro Football Focus gave Kirksey a grade of 46.1 grade, which is horrendous. Ninety-one linebackers qualified for a grade and Kirksey was 83rd.