Browns: 4 positions of need team must address before trade deadline

Cleveland Browns. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals is wrapped up by Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals is wrapped up by Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Yikes. The Browns linebackers have been atrocious. Honestly, with how bad they’ve been playing against the pass and rush, as well as the problems with the corners, it’s hard to really blame the safeties all that match. The linebackers can’t cover anyone over the middle, or in the flats. Don’t ask them to tackle anyone either, as that’s going to be a problem for all three of them.

Sione Takitaki was given a shot because he was a young player and he hasn’t panned out. B.J. Goodson’s failure to improve the defense was obvious. He’s a career backup. What were fans really expecting? Mack Wilson hurts, as he was supposed to be an anchor but instead he’s just shown to have largely regressed without Joe Schobert playing next to him.

Rookie Jacob Phillip has made next to zero plays and has yet to prove he was a better pick than some of the other rookies still on the board at the time. The Browns lone SuperBowl MVP Malcolm Smith? He plays 60% of the defensive snaps these days and the Browns still can’t get off the field.

The Browns need to make a move or two or four when it comes to the linebacking corp. This is a team that could make some real noise this year but they won’t be able to if they keep playing the cast-offs and never-wheres that Andrew Berry keeps thinking makes for great linebackers.