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Cleveland Browns: Top 5 players deserving of a new contract

By Cory Kinnan

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his interception with teammates during overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers the at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The game ended in a 21-21 tie. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his interception with teammates during overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers the at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The game ended in a 21-21 tie. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns returns an interception during overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers the at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The game ended in a 21-21 tie. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns returns an interception during overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers the at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The game ended in a 21-21 tie. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. MLB Joe Schobert

Think whatever you would like about middle linebacker Joe Schobert, but the defense is just not the same without him. Missing weeks seven, eight, and nine, the Browns lost three straight games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.

During that three-game span, the Browns defense surrendered an average of over 100 yards per game on the ground and among the highest completion percentages and quarterback ratings of opposing gunslingers of the entire season. Needless to say, Schobert’s presence on the field is felt by the other players on the defensive side of the ball.

After making the Pro Bowl in 2017 with 85 solo tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, and one pick, Schobert followed it up with a nearly identical stat line in 2018 outside of solo tackles (a result of better defensive line play last season). Yes, Schobert did rank near the top in missed tackles a year ago, but he also played hurt and still excelled against the pass, a more important trait in today’s NFL.

NFL Power Rankings: Post-minicamp edition. dark. Next

Schobert graded out at 78.2 according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the highest of any player on this list, and at an elite 86.1 against the pass. This number ranked him as the second-best linebacker against the pass in the league. The second best. Pay this man whatever he wants and make sure he is a Brown long term.

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