Trade deadline wish lists usually focus on the obvious needs. Fans and analysts zero in on pass rushers, receivers and offensive linemen, the positions that tend to show up in highlights and headlines. Sometimes, though, the film points to a quieter problem that can matter just as much. One Browns beat writer believes Cleveland has one of those problems in the middle of its defense.
Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com laid out what the Browns should target before the November 10 deadline and included a position few have mentioned. He believes the team should look to add a linebacker.
“They could probably use an additional linebacker to give them the ability to play a few more three-linebacker looks to help throw something else at teams determined to exploit their run defense,” Labbe wrote.
The reasoning starts with the run defense, which has slipped badly. The Browns held Derrick Henry to 58 yards on 17 carries against the Baltimore Ravens, but they have struggled since. Tony Pollard ran for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans, and the Pittsburgh Steelers piled up 200 rushing yards on Sunday.
Opponents have noticed. Mike Rutenberg’s defense plays man coverage more than any team in the league, which often means extra defensive backs on the field. Teams like Pittsburgh have answered with heavy personnel, using extra tight ends and linemen to run right at that lighter front. A 3rd linebacker would give the Browns a bigger answer.
Depth is the concern. Carson Schwesinger has played through an ankle injury for weeks and now appears to have a hand or wrist issue as well. Quincy Williams has been productive, but behind them, there is limited experience. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah remains out for the season.
The Browns have already looked at the position. They worked out 3 linebackers in late October, a sign the front office knows it may need help.
Labbe also pointed to the edge and tight end as needs, and he liked Mary Kay Cabot’s suggestion of pursuing Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack. Jared Verse is still looking for his first sack, and the run-blocking issues at tight end showed up again in Pittsburgh.
His larger point is about balance. Labbe argued that a 5-3 start creates some obligation to improve the roster for a playoff push, but not to go all in. Adding on the margins while letting young players develop fits how Andrew Berry has built this team.
A linebacker would not be the splashiest move of the deadline. But if the Browns want to stop teams from running at them, as the Steelers did on Sunday, it could be one of the most important. Sunday’s game in New Orleans will show whether the problem is a trend or a 2-week slump.
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