OLB Christian Miller: How Would Drafting this Player in Round 3 Make the Browns Better?

The Browns have a definite need at linebacker with some fresh blood. Genard Avery had 40 tackles, and the always dependable Joe Schobert wowed us with 103 tackles only eclipsed by Jamie Collins’ 104 tackles. After the Browns claimed Ray-Ray Armstrong off waivers from the Giants, he saw action in nine games with four tackles. Backup D’Juan Hines played mainly on special teams in 13 games while Xavier Woodson-Luster has not seen the field much since coming off the practice squad. And now that Collins is no longer a roster member, there is a job opening for a veteran or a rookie candidate.

That leaves room for improvement. Schobert is secure in the Mike position. The weakside outside backer is manned by Avery and could use another body to compete with him and if nothing else give him a blow on plays. Christian Miller from Alabama might just become that player taken with the Browns’ third-round choice at number 80.

He has had his share of injury problems, though. In his junior year he tore his bicep which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He was able to come back healthy his senior campaign, but other players received more playing time and he was regulated to spot duty. He is a talented pass rusher when healthy. His Senior Bowl week was cancelled because of a hamstring injury.

Specifics:

College: Alabama
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 224 pounds
40-time: 4.75
Career Tackles: 56
Career Tackles for Loss: 15.5
Career Sacks: 11

Positives:

• Disciplined
• Strong arsenal of pass rushing moves
• Great run defense
• Ferocious defender on tight ends
• Very good range and will pursue
• Intelligent player
• Played in a championship atmosphere
• Great motor

Negatives:

• Not the speediest
• Has to remain healthy
• Average burst
• Work in progress
• Problems with bigger O-linemen
• Work on finishing tackles

Expert Draft Site Analysis

prideofdetroit.com

Miller is at his best when rushing the passer and has a wide array of moves that he can beat you with. He has good burst with sufficient dip/bend to turn the corner, but he can also set those up and beat you inside if he catches you sleeping. Against the run, Miller is no slouch and his discipline and dominance at the point of attack. He shows very few weaknesses on tape, but the lack of game experience is concerning. Still, for a player that hasn’t played a ton of snaps throughout his collegiate career, he looks so far advanced from a technical standpoint compared to where you’d expect him to be.

Christian Miller is best at rushing the passer. Would this be a good addition to the LB group with the Browns third-round choice and add just one body to the defensive front?