The Browns have sent linebacker Mack Wilson to the Lions in a proposed trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In return for Wilson, the Browns will receive a 2019 fifth-round pick and 2020 seventh-round pick from Detroit.
courtesy of Getty Images Cleveland Browns’ Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Mack Wilson.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cleveland Browns have amassed a plethora of talent, putting a few guys on the hot seat for roster places.
Mack Wilson, a linebacker who has started 22 games in the past two seasons but is currently buried on the depth chart behind a mix of veterans and rookies, is one of those guys.
Wilson is unlikely to make the final 53-man roster, thus the Browns may choose to trade him. The Bleacher Report is a news organization that focuses on sports NFL analyst Brent Sobleski suggested a hypothetical deal in which Wilson would be traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a late-round selection. Former Browns general manager John Dorsey is the Lions’ top personnel officer, as Sobleski points out. Wilson was selected by Dorsey, who sees some promise in the former Alabama linebacker.
Cleveland’s starting linebackers are expected to be Anthony Walker, a free agent, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a rookie second-round selection. At SAM backer, Sione Takitaki is a solid part-time performer. Behind them, the team can rely on Malcolm Smith, a long-time veteran, and Jacob Phillips, a youngster who may earn the starting position. Tony Fields II, a fifth-round rookie, will also be put into the mix.
To stay with the Browns, Mack Wilson will need a big camp.
Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (Getty).
Wilson seemed to be a bargain as a fifth-round selection in 2019. He started for the bulk of the season, racking up 77 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, four tackles for loss, and seven pass defenses.
But his second season got off to a rough start, with a hyperextended knee that was believed to be season-ending at one point during training camp. It wasn’t pretty when he finally got on the field. He only made 39 tackles in 13 games, eight of which he started.
Wilson is not among the six linebackers retained by the Browns, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter’s 53-man roster estimate. Wilson will need a “huge camp” to stay around, according to Trotter.
Wilson has been mentioned as a potential cut candidate before by Trotter, who singled him out in a prior piece.
Wilson, who was selected in 2019 by the previous front-office administration, plays the same position as Owusu-Koramoah at weakside linebacker. Wilson can still carve himself a significant part in the linebacking rotation, whether Owusu-Koramoah starts or not, but he’ll have to perform better than he did last season to do so.
To begin training camp, the Browns will be shorthanded at linebacker.
Wilson’s chances may be aided by the fact that the Browns are shorthanded at linebacker at the start of training camp. Fields is struggling with his second foot injury, while Owusu-Koramoah is on the COVID-19 list.
When questioned about Owusu-Koramoah missing the start of camp, head coach Kevin Stefanski described it as “less than ideal.”
“I am sure he wants to be out here, and we want him out here,” Stefanski added, “but that is the nature of the situation.” “While he isn’t here, we’ll simply move him along as fast as we can.”
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