Browns may find a starter for their defense in a Cleveland native that was released by another NFL team

Cleveland Browns have a few positions they’ll want to address in free agency and the middle linebacker will be one.

Anthony Walker Jr. is set to be a free agent a sm the Browns will need to decide on whether they want to pursue him.

If Cleveland wants to go in a different direction, a pretty solid option is now out on the free-agent market. Jerome Baker was let go by the Miami Dolphins and could make sense for Cleveland.

Why Cleveland makes sense for Jerome Baker

Baker played his college ball at Ohio State and before that, he attended high school in Cleveland at Benedictine. The veteran linebacker became a 3rd round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Browns had Walker for 12 games last year and just three the year before. It seems as if the injuries are catching up to him because he looks to have lost a step. I wouldn’t be comfortable with Walker being the starter again if there are other options out there that would be a better fit.

Baker is one of those options that has been healthy over the course of his six-year career besides four missed games last season with a wrist injury. The Buckeye product has crossed the 100 tackle mark three times in his career and contributes as a pass rusher and in coverage. Baker has 22.5 career sacks and five interceptions.

Cleveland is set with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being their WILL and he has blossomed into a Pro Bowl-level player. Adding in a veteran like Baker who was only cut for cap reasons would be an ideal move.

Going away

At just 27 years old still, Baker has plenty of ball ahead of him and should bounce back from his wrist injury last season. If the Browns can get him at a fair price for a two-year deal, they should make it happen.