The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
LSU’s Phillips has big chance with Browns
Jedrick Wills and Grant Delpit were the marquee picks for the Browns in the
NFL draft last month, and if Jacob Phillips can be added to the list before the
2020 season ends the draft will be regarded as a rousing success.
Wills, chosen with the 10th pick, is destined to move from right tackle where he played at Alabama to left tackle for the Browns so he can protect quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blind side.
Delpit is the free safety with first-round talent who, fortunately for the Browns, was still available when they were picking 48th because he got a reputation for shoddy tackling last season at LSU.
And Phillips? Phillips is the linebacker, also from LSU, selected in the third round with the 97th pick late on Day 2 of the three-day draft. Phillips was chosen with the pick acquired from Houston in the trade that sent running back Duke Johnson to the Texans last August.
“With Jacob Phillips, we really liked the length, the speed and the ability to play in the system,” Coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Those linebackers have to run. You see him running in that system they play down there at LSU. You see him running down the sideline going to make great tackles. Just a high-effort, high-motor guy. He just turned 21 earlier this month. Another young player we feel like we can develop.”
To say the Browns are thin on experience at linebacker is a huge understatement. The linebacking corps includes Tae Davis, Willie Harvey, Jermaine Grace and Montrel Meander — four players that fans can be forgiven for not knowing they were even on the roster.
Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki are each in their second seasons. B.J. Goodson is in his fifth NFL season and first with the Browns. He is already on his third team after playing three seasons with the Giants and one with the Packers.
Phillips is obviously a rookie, but the opportunity is there for him to seize a starting job as Joe Schobert’s replacement at middle linebacker. At 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, he is built to play outside linebacker
along with Wilson. Goodson played inside linebacker with the Giants and Packers and would do the same with the Browns.
“I think the youth is a good thing,” Stefanski said. “It’s a hungry group. We’re going to roll a bunch of guys out there and see what we have. Once we get our hands on these guys, age obviously matters and then you think about how young Mack was last year. You’re always looking for these guys to progress. Once we get our hands on them, we’ll see where they are, but I think it’s a really intriguing group.”
The scouting reports on Phillips prior to the draft do not dazzle, which might explain why 96 players and eight linebackers were drafted ahead of Phillips. Twenty-three linebackers followed Phillips. Malik Harrison of Ohio State, also slated as a middle linebacker, went to the Ravens with the 98th pick.
“Phillips is a reliable option but lacks the alpha field demeanor and explosive athleticism teams look for,” Lance Zierlein wrote for NFL.com. “He has backup talent and should step into a special teams role quickly.”
Lindy’s draft magazine’s report on Phillips concluded: “Despite straightline speed, not mobile enough to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.”
But, then again, Phillips isn’t trying to crash the defensive roster of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
“I feel as though I will be given an opportunity in Cleveland,” Phillips said on a Zoom conference. “I’m ready to work. I’m ready to put in every ounce that I can to succeed and help the team win. I just want to make sure that I bring that winning tradition I had in college to Cleveland.
“I think I’m somebody who is rangy and can make plays all over the field, regardless of who is the ball carrier, receiver or running back. I also feel like I have a high motor. I can do multiple things and I’m versatile. Also, I can bring my vocals to a defense. I’m not afraid to speak, and I’m not afraid to try and lead.”
The Browns are LSU North. Wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. were LSU teammates from 20112013, just as Delpit and Phillips were teammates on the national championship team this past season.