2015 Browns Position Previews: Inside Linebackers

The Browns are in the midst of their last vacation period before they hit the field for training camp. Each player is getting his last rest in before the journey of the 2015-16 season begins. Last week I took a look at the Browns’ talented secondary, starting my series of previews of each of the Browns positions. We now move closer to the line of scrimmage as we look at the inside linebacker group. So, let’s take a gander at Karlos Dansby and the inside linebacker position of the Cleveland Browns.

[2015 Browns Position Previews: Safeties, Cornerbacks, Inside Linebackers]

Inside Linebackers

Additions

Hayes Pullard (Draft — Seventh Round from USC)

Subtractions

None

The Starters: Karlos Dansby

You’ll notice that I only list one surefire starter at inside linebacker. That is because I see the Browns using a rotation of Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey, rather than starting one over the other in the base 3-4 defense. But, the other inside linebacker spot is all settled with the defense’s most consistent player, Karlos Dansby. Last season in his first year with the Browns, Pro Football Focus gave him the defense’s highest grade for the season with a plus-13.9.

Karlos Dansby immediately became one of the leaders of the entire Browns defense. In his first season with the team last year, Dansby played in 12 games, netting 93 tackles, three sacks, two passes defended, and one interception. He is a well-rounded linebacker who contributes in both the run and pass defense. He especially excels versus the passing game, reading the offense well and making fast decisions to get to the ball quickly. Dansby is a player who does not make a lot of mistakes. The leadership and intelligence he shows on the field helps make his teammates better. His position as a starting inside linebacker helps solidify the middle of the Browns defense.

Contributing Inside Linebackers: Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey

The contributions of Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey will be major ones because I believe these two will be sharing time as the starting inside linebacker next to Dansby. The two linebackers had solid years for the team, but neither one really emerged to take the starting spot away from the other. Last season, Pro Football Focus gave Craig Robertson a plus-2.2 grade, while Chris Kirksey was given a minus-3.8.

Craig Robertson was the more consistent player of this competing duo last season. In 2014, he played in all 16 games, netting 99 tackles, four passes defended, and two interceptions. After a rough 2013 season, Robertson bounced back and played pretty well in the center of the Browns defense. He played well in the pass and run defense, but his good pass coverage that he flashed in his rookie season reasserted itself last year. He was a solid player.

It would be a huge development for the defense if one of Craig Robertson or Chris Kirksey can emerge as the starter.

Chris Kirksey had a bumpy year in his rookie season. In 2014, he played in all 16 games, getting 81 tackles, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. Kirksey is probably the team’s most athletic inside linebacker, able to play in coverage with great fluidity. He has the ability to be a starting linebacker for the Browns, but he must learn the game and get more experience before he can play to his highest potential. He had games where he really shined and then ones where he struggled. The name of the game for Kirksey next season will be consistency.

The starting inside linebacker spot next to Karlos Dansby will be an interesting battle to watch. Robertson and Kirksey are two good young options for the Browns. They each have different skill sets to bring to the defense. It is likely that the two share the snaps this season and play based on the situation. It would be a huge development for the defense if one of these two can emerge as the starter.

Strictly Special Team Contributors: Tank Carder and Hayes Pullard

The Browns could use another inside linebacker who can make a contribution on the defense. But with Dansby, Robertson and Kirksey getting most of the snaps, chances for playing time will be few and far between, especially with the lack of experience and talent behind them. Tank Carder and Hayes Pullard are the next two on the depth chart for the Browns. These two will most likely have an impact on the special teams, but will have trouble getting on the field on defense.

Tank Carder played only 12 snaps on defense last year, earning a minus-0.5 grade for those few snaps from PFF. But on special teams, he had a combined seven tackles on punt and kick coverage, which helped him get a plus-0.5 special teams grade. Carder is a solid tackler who plays all out and with a lot of physicality. His skill set is that of a prototypical special teams player.

Hayes Pullard was the Browns seventh round pick in this past year’s draft. In his senior season at USC, he had 95 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defended, and one interception¹. Pullard is an athletic player who could fit nicely into the Browns coverage units on special teams. He moves well in space with solid change of direction ability. He will most likely stick to the special teams this season unless he develops quicker than expected.

Other Inside Linebackers on Roster: Darius Eubanks

Darius Eubanks spent last season on the injured reserve for the Browns. He will have a tough time making the squad with the five players ahead of him on the depth chart.

Biggest Strength: Karlos Dansby

Karlos Dansby is one of the Browns top leaders and he shows it on and off the field. Dansby plays extremely well in coverage, along with a solid ability versus the run. He gets his teammates in the right position and is the quarterback on the Browns defense. When he missed time last year, the effect was noticed immediately, with a decline in the defense’s performance. Dansby is the calming force in the middle of the defense.

Biggest Weakness: Depth

Behind Karlos Dansby, Craig Robertson, and Chris Kirksey, there is not much talent who can take some snaps on defense. If a similar situation arises like last year where one of the three gets hurt, the depth to fill the open spot will be a major question. The backups are either young inexperienced players or purely special team-type players. The Browns may need to add some depth in the inside linebacker position, so that the team can better able to withstand injuries.

Biggest Position Battle: Craig Robertson vs. Chris Kirksey

Dansby is the calming force in the middle of the defense

As noted earlier, Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey will share time as the other starting inside linebacker next to Karlos Dansby. Neither player really distinguished himself last season, with both players playing a similar amount of snaps. Robertson played a little bit better than Kirksey last season, but that was Kirksey’s rookie year. Kirksey could emerge this season and become the full-time starter if he puts all together. But for now, the battle is a tie with a slight advantage going to Robertson. It could end up being a timeshare like last season.

Grade: B

The Browns inside linebacker group starts with the great Karlos Dansby. He played very well last season and makes this group that much better. But beside him, the Browns have two players, Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey, who played well in different situations. They both are solid players. The group would be graded higher if one of these two can distinguish himself and be the full time starter for the Browns. The group is also dinged because of the lack of depth behind the top three players. Overall, the Browns have a solid inside linebacker group, with a legit high level player in Karlos Dansby.

All stats (unless noted otherwise) are from ESPN.com

1. Per the official USC website [↩]