After adding two members of the Rams’ secondary secondary, the Browns are turning their attention to the top seven. They agreed to the defensive attacker’s terms Malik Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker on Friday by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Charles Robinson of Yahoo (Twitter links)
Jackson’s tenure at the Broncos coincided with Joe Woods‘, with the current Browns DC having trained Denver high school during Jackson’s stay. The nine-year veteran will come to Cleveland after spending two seasons in Philadelphia. A four-year veterinarian, Walker goes to Ohio after fulfilling his rookie contract in Indianapolis.
While Jackson was the holder of several schemes in Denver – including in Wade Phillips‘The 3-4 appearance that helped the Broncos win the Super Bowl 50 – he has worked mainly as a 4-3 defensive tackle since joining the Jaguars in 2016. Part of the Jags’ Sacksonville’ defense that led the team at the Super Bowl LII cliff, Jackson made it to the Pro Bowl after an eight-sack season in the 2017 campaign. However, the Jags made him a casualty before his 2019 rebuild.
The Eagles signed Jackson shortly after, but he missed the 19 season because of an injury. Jackson recorded 2.5 sacks and 13 QB strikes for the Eagles last season, returning to play in 15 games. The 31-year-old striker D-lineman will join a team of Browns who just lost Larry Ogunjobi in a free agency. Jackson could be in line with the team with Sheldon Richardson as a starter in Cleveland.
Walker started next Darius Leonard for three seasons with the Colts. Working as the main linebacker for the middle of Indianapolis, Leonard’s teammate recorded 321 tackles in 2018-20 and did not miss a game. He also posted 18 tackles per defeat in that period, including 10 in 2018. Pro Football Focus did not rank Walker very well last season, placing him near the end of his linebacker hierarchy, but the previous choice of the fifth round brings significant experience for a Browns defender who ranked 25 in the DVOA last year.
In addition to the Jackson and Walker additions, the Browns signed John johnson and Troy Hill this week. They also re-signed the linebacker Malcolm Smith.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.