Healthy Jacob Phillips could start for the Browns

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The Cleveland Browns have loaded up on talent on the defensive side of the ball this offseason but holdover Jacob Phillips could fight for a starting spot.

With the additions in the secondary (John Johnson III, Troy Hill, Greg Newsome II) and defensive line (Jadeveon Clowney, Takk McKinley, Malik Jackson) get a lot of attention, the linebacker group also added two interesting players. Anthony Walker was brought over in free agency while the Browns traded up to select Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round.

Walker was considered a key leader in Indianapolis while Owusu-Koramoah was a versatile chess piece for Notre Dame and fits the wide-open NFL. Both are expected to compete for the team’s starting linebacker spots with many assuming they win those jobs.

Cleveland has a few carryover defenders competing at linebacker along with Phillips. Malcolm Smith was brought back on a one-year deal after a very good season with the Browns while Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson could be fighting for their roster lives.

It is Phillips who might have the most upside of the players returning from last year. After struggling with injuries most of the season, Terry Pluto reports that the LSU linebacker is healthy and that the team believes he could start:

They believe Phillips can compete for a starting linebacker job. They love his tackling.

Phillips is an athletic player with good instincts. If he can stay healthy, the Browns could have trouble deciding who will start. Due to his ability in the run game and a year of experience in the NFL, Phillips could have a leg up on Owusu-Koramoah. Being able to run with Lamar Jackson on this play shows how valuable he could be:

Like most spots on the Cleveland roster, depth is exceptional to have. Phillips taking over a starting spot gives Joe Woods a chance to use Owusu-Koramoah in more flexible ways at times. A good amount of depth also helps keep players fresh and protect against injury.