Fansided

3 surprise cuts the Browns can make this offseason

By Russell S. Baxter

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 03: Baker Mayfield #6 talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 03: Baker Mayfield #6 talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after catching an interception during the first half against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after catching an interception during the first half against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2. LB Sione Takitaki

It wasn’t long ago that he appeared to be a rising player in the organization. And this past season, perhaps he was limited by a hamstring injury that he suffered last summer and caused him to miss a Week 3 clash with the Chicago Bears.

Linebacker Sione Takitaki, a third-round pick in 2019 from BYU, played in 15 games as a rookie and made only one start. His role increased dramatically in his second season. Again, he played in 15 outings but made a dozen starts. But he finished seventh on the club with 55 defensive stops, to go along with one sack, and returned an interception 50 yards for a score in a win over the Eagles.

He also led the Browns with a dozen special teams tackles – including eight solo efforts. In the two playoffs games, he came up with a combined eight tackles and picked off Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the wild card round.

In 2021, Takitaki once again played in 15 games. But he was limited to eight starts, in part due to the offseason addition of former Colts’ standout Anthony Walker as well as the continues presence of veteran Malcolm Smith. The latter joined the team in 2020. In any case, Takitaki made just 36 tackles on defense (5 for losses) and eight more on special teams. Could he indeed be expendable?

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