5 Cleveland Browns whose stocks are up after surprise win vs Cowboys

4. Jacob Phillips

It’s a small step, but rookie Jacob Phillips had a very strong series at linebacker toward the end of the third quarter.

With 6:12 to go in the quarter, Phillips had a big tackle of Dalton Schultz on 3rd down to keep him three yards short of a first down. On the next play, he broke up Dak Prescott’s pass for CeeDee Lamb.

Phillips only had two tackles on the day, but the sequence showed some serious growth from the fifth-round pick. Considering the Browns are banking on their young linebackers developing into contributing talent, you’ve got to take the good when it’s there.

Unfortunately, the linebacking corps still has a ways to go, as the unit, combined with whatever the Browns are doing at safety, is cause for big concern.

That said, there were some positive signs for Phillips, who was playing in just his fourth NFL game.