Assessing Cleveland Browns defensive-heavy 2021 NFL Draft needs

2. Linebacker

Looking at the play from the defense a year ago, linebacker stands out as the biggest need for the Cleveland Browns, in my opinion. The question is whether the 2021 NFL Draft is the best place to address it, but the unit must improve if the team wants to build on its recent success in 2021.

Solid linebacker play was actually something that Cleveland Browns fans have come accustomed to a bit in recent years. With players like Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins and Demario Davis all coming through and leaving as free agents, the Browns have been left with some slim pickings.

Last year, two journeymen, veteran backers in B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith, and later round picks in Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips saw pretty much all the snaps. When comparing to the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the difference is staggering. That group is nowhere near the same level as Tampa with underrated stud Lavonte David and budding star Devin White.

The Cleveland Browns really need to find a true playmaker like those guys. While the guys on the roster played well here and there last season, they lack the upside needed to really dominate a game from the middle.

Anthony Walker could be a very important signing for the Cleveland Browns this season, as he should prove to be a great leader and a well-rounded player at the position, but he is only under contract for one year and may not quite be the star the team is looking for.

If Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski and Joe Woods feel like one of the 2021 NFL Draft prospects could be a real difference-maker at the linebacker position for years to come, they could end up pulling the trigger early on, possibly even in the first round.