Cleveland Browns LB Mack Wilson is hoping his 2nd year in the NFL is a sophomore sensation.
Drafted by the Browns in the 5th round (155th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, Wilson ended up being a workhorse last season.
Say my grace before every game then tell myself lets EAT. 🙏🏾 #5ive1 😤 #ThisTheYear 🙇🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/xQgkItUpmf
— Mack Wilson (@5mackwilson1) March 21, 2020
His playing time increased when veteran Christian Kirksey went on IR in September 2019 with a chest injury.
(Kirksey has since been released by the Browns and is now a Green Bay Packer.)
Wilson and fellow 2019 draftee (3rd round, 80th overall) LB Sione Takitaki are returning to the Browns hoping to snag starting positions.
Turn me up Tak.. 🔥🔥🔥 #LFG #TheMack-A-Tak show will be aired this September. 😤 @STakitaki pic.twitter.com/N2jO9v2eUc
— Mack Wilson (@5mackwilson1) March 21, 2020
Here are some of the factors that will impact Mack Wilson’s performance this season.
New Defensive Coordinator and LB Coach
Enter Joe Woods as the new defensive coordinator and Jason Tarver as the new LB coach.
At 50, Woods has made his rounds in the college and pro ranks, most notably as the defensive backs coach for the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos (Super Bowl 50).
Woods and Tarver are reunited but in different roles.
Tarver was the defensive coordinator in Oakland from 2012-2014, and Woods was the defensive backs coach.
Woods is impressed with Wilson (and Takitaki) but has not yet named starters for this season.
About both players, Woods said:
“They are both athletic. They have cover skills. They have range. They play with a nasty demeanor,” Woods said. “Both of those guys just look like what we want in a linebacker: athletic, play physical and run to the ball. I think they are a natural fit. They are just both young guys who need to keep gaining experience.”
It is yet unknown how Woods will employ LBs into his scheme.
The 2019 Cleveland Browns used mainly 2 LBs.
A new coordinator could revert to a more traditional 4-3 scheme which truly opens the floodgates for players competing for 3 starting positions at camp.
Tarver’s analysis on Wilson included this:
“Wilson was on the field enough to where he knows what he can do and what he needs to work on.”
He also added that Wilson “improved with every rep he had.”
Mack Wilson – Rookie Season
Wilson’s rookie season got off to a great start with outstanding play at the 2019 training camp.
He earned the “Most Outstanding Rookie” award at camp.
Wilson finished 2nd on the team with total tackles (63).
Like all young players, he has room for improvement.
Most notably, he finished 3rd on the team in missed tackles in 2019.
And QBs completed 79% of their passes on him.
His performance was good enough to earn $415,296 in performance-based pay from the NFL.
That was 2nd in the league behind KC CB Charvarius Ward, who received $428,335.
What that shows is that the Browns got their money’s worth in Mack Wilson in 2019 because performance-based pay is meant to reward players whose salary is low commensurate with their playing time.
How will Year 2 go for Mack Wilson?
That’s the $64,000 question.
With no locked-in starters and a young group of contenders, it is anyone’s guess what Mack Wilson will do.
No doubt rookie LB (3rd round, 97th overall) Jacob Phillips, a member of the LSU National Championship team, will be in the mix of contenders also.
What is clear is that Mack Wilson is full of motivation.
I will be something great..
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G#5ive1 #LL3 pic.twitter.com/sbAApn833z— Mack Wilson (@5mackwilson1) July 18, 2020
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