Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2013: LB Preview (Part 4)

In Part 4 of our linebacker preview for training camp, we finish off the position by checking out the unknown names for the Cleveland Browns' at linebacker: Adrian Moten, Kendrick Adams, Tommy Smith, and Justin Staples.

10. ADRIAN MOTEN - THIRD-STRING INSIDE LINEBACKER

Adrian Moten (#56)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Age: 25 | Experience: 2 years
College: Maryland

Note: Has bounced around to several teams...was on Browns' 53-man roster to close out 2012.

Adrian Moten was an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. In 10 games as a backup with the Colts, he registered 7 tackles. He also had a brief stint with the Seahawks in 2011, and was with the Eagles for one game in 2012 before joining the Browns' 53-man roster to close out the season.

Moten should be one of the two inside linebackers getting work with the third-team defense. With the number of unproven commodities ahead of him on the depth chart, the chances of him being able to ascent up the chart quickly aren't too bad.

Moten seems to have drawn a lot of tryout interest from NFL teams over the past two years, but does he have the differentiating factor that will allow him to stick around this time around?

Final Roster Odds: 10%

12. KENDRICK ADAMS - THIRD-STRING OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Kendrick Adams (#65)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Age: 24 | Experience: 1 year
College: Louisiana State

Note: Signed to Browns' practice squad near end of 2012...making the switch from DE to outside linebacker.

Kendrick Adams spent training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2012. During the season, Adams was on the practice squads of the Buccaneers and Lions before joining the Browns' practice squad for the final three weeks of the season.

Adams was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Browns in January, prior to the hiring of head coach Rob Chudzinsk and general manager Michael Lombardi. Adams was a defensive end last year, but his size puts him at outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. The Browns are pretty set with the first four outside linebackers on the depth chart, but they may want to have a developmental guy on the practice squad.

Final Roster Odds: 1%
Practice Squad Odds: 25%

13. TOMMY SMITH - UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT INSIDE LINEBACKER

Tommy Smith (#42)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240
Age: 22 | Experience: Rookie
College: Boise State

Note: Signed by the Browns after a tryout at rookie minicamp...has played some fullback too.

An undrafted free agent, Tommy Smith was not signed right away by the Browns this offseason. They offered him a tryout at rookie minicamp, and it basically boiled down to a question of who would make it: Smith, or Hudson native Mike Niam? The Browns ultimately chose Smith.

Prior to signing, reports said that Cleveland was "intrigued by Smith’s ability to play fullback, but that he was being brought in specifically to try out at inside linebacker."

At Boise State, Smith was former teammates with current Browns defensive lineman Billy Winn. Smith registered 61 tackles and 1 sack as a senior, and also plays some special teams. I think he is your dark-horse-type-of-guy who could emerge from the pack of these four linebackers to really push someone else for a roster spot.

Final Roster Odds: 15%
Practice Squad Odds: 75%

14. JUSTIN STAPLES - UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Justin Staples (#44)

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Age: 23 | Experience: Rookie
College: Illinois

Note: Local product who went to St. Edward High School...was a defensive end in college.

We have ourselves a local product! Justin Staples grew up in Lakewood, OH and played for St. Edward High School before going to Illinois for college. He was one of the few players who the Browns signed after a "local players workout" the team held prior to the draft.

Staples was a defensive end at Illinois and finished with 20 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2012. Like Adams, it's hard to see where Staples fits into the plans this season with the top four outside linebackers already set. He is another camp body who fulfills a role on the third-team defense and can compete for a spot on the practice squad.

Final Roster Odds: <1%
Practice Squad Odds: 25%

That concludes the linebacker preview. We'll recap the polls for the linebackers on Saturday before moving on to special teams on Sunday and Monday. Today's poll asks which of the players from today's preview you are most intrigued by.