During the offseason, the Cleveland Browns had two linebackers leave for new NFL homes, creating a void the organization had to address.
One offseason acquisition has hit the ground running during the 2024 NFL season.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks has been one of the strongest defenders on the field for the Browns this season despite turning 32 during the offseason.
In three games this season, Hicks has recorded 18 tackles, two pass deflections, and one sack while earning three quarterback hits along the way.
His play against the New York Giants was one of the team’s bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 21-15 loss, earning him recognition by PFF.
The X account PFF Cle Browns shared that Hicks was one of the highest-graded linebackers for Week 3 with an 83.5 PFF grade, and the only linebacker to earn a 74-plus grade in both run and pass coverage.
Jordan Hicks among LBs in Week 3:
🟠 83.5 PFF grade (3rd)
🟤 5 stops (T-4th)The only LB with a 74+ grade in both coverage and run defense 💪 pic.twitter.com/R603rAeasf
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) September 25, 2024
The PFF linebacker grade was the third highest for Week 3, the X post noted.
Hicks finished the game with a season-best eight tackles and a quarterback hit for the Browns.
The 6-foot-1 linebacker caused a brief scare during that game as he left to seek medical treatment toward the end of the contest, an injury that was revealed by this week’s injury report to be to his ribs and elbow.
Hicks did not practice in Wednesday’s session, but the linebacker returned today to show that injury should not prevent him from playing against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Browns already had one of the game’s best linebackers in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and JOK and Hicks make a formidable duo facing Cleveland’s opponents.
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