The Cleveland Browns are going to need depth at linebacker and safety regardless of what happens in free agency. The Browns linebacking corp is going to see a lot of turnovers I think, and the Browns already know they have holes at safety. Jack Sanborn (PFF #120) could fill in both those spots if necessary. He’s not a guy who screams “starter material” but he could be a Tony Fields hybrid type of player.
It’s really going to come down to his 40-time. Jack Sanborn is estimated to run between a 4.6-4.7 40-time, and that may be good enough to play a coverage linebacker, backup safety, and special teams guy in the NFL. That’s essentially what John Johnson III ran.
The Wisconsin product has a natural nose for the ball, so beyond what he could potentially offer as a pro, what he offered in college was a unique skillset. He had 29 career tackles for a loss at Wisconsin, with 16 of those coming as a senior. He’s also posted two seasons of at least five sacks as well.
These are all great signs that, as a project, Sanborn could be interesting. With the future of Mack Wilson and the rest of the previously mentioned linebackers being in limbo, the Browns drafting two-hybrid linebackers like they did last year isn’t out of the question.