Very rarely does an off-ball linebacker emerge as such an instant star like Carson Schwesinger has done for the Cleveland Browns this season.
He’s in year one, but he’s already one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL. To say the Browns nailed this second-round draft pick would be a major understatement. Schwesinger is one of the best players from this past draft class, if not the best.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes that Schwesinger is “the easy pick” for the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor this season. And with how great he’s played for Cleveland, it’s hard to argue against that notion.
Browns’ Carson Schwesinger is ‘easy pick’ for DROY
“He is fast physical, slippery, quick to see plays unfold, nimble, savvy before the snap, a great tackler on the move, improving as a zone dropper, productive around the football, aggressive in seeking splash plays, and overall just really instinctive,” Solak writes.
This long description of Schwesinger is well deserved. He’s been one of, if not the best, rookies this season, offense or defense.
Coming out of Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game he left and came back despite nursing an injury, Schwesinger has 159 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 13 run stuffs.
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Not only is Schwesinger good in the run game and as a pass rusher, but he’s also good in coverage and continues to improve in that area of his game.
According to Solak, among rookie linebackers with 150-plus tackles, 10-plus tackles for loss, and 2-plus passes defended, Schwesinger joins Kiko Alonso, Shaquille Leonard, DeMeco Ryans, and Luke Kuechly in some great company.
The Browns’ rookie linebacker has been one of the best players in the NFL this season and is more than deserving of his flowers. As Solak writes, Schwesinger is “the easy pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
