5. Other starting OLB
Freddie Kitchens was named the team’s head coach after he served as the interim once Hue Jackson was fired in season last year. Now with the full-time role his, he brought in a new staff.
Steve Wilks was hired as the defensive coordinator after a dreadful season serving as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He brings a 4-3 scheme, which features three linebackers on the field.
Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert will occupy two of those three starting spots. Kirksey plays more weakside, while Schobert occupies the middle linebacker spot.
The other outside linebacker role will be won in training camp. Who will fight for it? Rookies Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki have a real shot, as well as veteran Adarius Taylor.
Taylor has five years of experience, playing for the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although, he hasn’t started too many games over those five seasons.
In 2018, Taylor started 10 games and had 60 combined tackles and one sack. Before that, he only started six games with 35 combined tackles and one sack.
The two rookies are the most intriguing options for this position. Wilson, a Nick Saban product, played very well during his sophomore and junior seasons at Alabama. During those two seasons, he had 105 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and six interceptions in 25 games.
Takitaki, playing at Brigham Young University, put up gaudy numbers during his last two years. During his junior and senior seasons, he had 198 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 26 games.