Stay or Go? Way too early look at 2020 Browns’ roster: Linebackers/Special Teams

Next up is the DBN writers attempt to see which linebackers the Browns should keep, and which need to find a new home. Also included are the Special Teams players.

Not that sports writers have any magical prognostication abilities, just our feelings on watching games all year. Leave a comment on what your opinions are.

Here is our “Stay” or “Go” predictions:

Linebackers

Joe Schobert

Jesse Kuroiwa: Schobert is the kind of middle class player we should try to get to stick around. I think the previous regime’s idea was to replace him with the younger and cheaper LBs we drafted this year, but I’d try to keep him to play alongside Takitaki and Wilson, especially if we stick to a 4-3 defense. I’m hoping he will be reasonable in his contract talks, and if so he should: STAY

Christian Kirksey

Thomas Moore: It was another lost season for linebacker Christian Kirksey, who finished the season on injured reserve for the second consecutive season and has only played nine total games over the past two years. Kirksey is still young - he won’t turn 28 until just before the start of the regular season - and when healthy is still a productive player. But his injuries, combined with a cap saving of more than $7 million, means that Kirsey’s time in Cleveland may have come to an end. GO

Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Mack Wilson

Matt Wood: Finally someone to be excited about. Sure he has some issues, especially against the run, but you can see the tools. Was thrust into the starting role much sooner than expected with the injuries and didn’t embarrass himself, something that puts him above a lot of guys on this defense. Has a lot of work to do, but I like the kid. STAY

Adarius Taylor

Chris Pokorny: I feel like I am kicking half the players off the team. Adarius Taylor signed a two-year deal in 2019 with the Browns, and after watching him play a little, I couldn’t believe he had started 10 games with the Buccaneers the previous year. This is another $500,000 in dead money the Browns will have to eat, but they’ll save $2.45 million in cap space by cutting him. All of those veteran cuts will add him to be able to add at least one key starter to the books. GO

Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Tae Davis

Barry Shuck: When Davis was with the Giants, he saw ample amount of playing time at linebacker. He is a stud on special teams and a decent fill-in on defense. Plus, he is only making $660,000 a season with zero dead money, so that alone for his ST play should allow him to remain. STAY

Sione Takitaki

Jesse Kuroiwa: Showed potential and played hard. Young, good value against the cap, could and should continue to develop into a good linebacker. STAY

Special teams

K Austin Seibert

Thomas Moore: The Browns took a gamble by opening the season with rookies at both punter and placekicker, but Seibert held his own for the most part. He converted 86.2 percent of his field (25-of-29) and 85.7 percent of his extra points (30-of-35), which is serviceable for a rookie learning to kick at FirstEnergy Stadium. STAY

Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

P Jamie Gillan

Matt Wood: A gamble that paid off. Love the Scottish Hammer. Flipped field position and saved the Browns this season a time or two. He’s a stud. STAY

LS Charley Hughlett

Chris Pokorny: If a long snapper ever gets the yips, they are done for. Charley Hughlett hasn’t had any bad snaps I can remember, though, and is under contract through 2022. He is guaranteed to stick around. STAY