The Jordan Hicks Signing Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
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There has been a ton of talk this offseason about the Cleveland Browns. It’s been a headline-packed offseason, with the Amari Cooper contract situation yet to be resolved, Za’Darius Smith returning, and the interesting decision to sign Jameis Winston to back up Deshaun Watson. With all this happening, one key signing seems to be overlooked: that of linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Over the last few years, the Browns’ defensive line and secondary have enjoyed elite talent. But year after year, the linebacker position has continued to be the weakness. The defensive line is led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, who is one of the most explosive talents in the league. Smith is lining up on the other side, where he benefits from the double-teams thrown at Garrett. The Browns’ secondary is led by veterans Greg Newsome II and Denzel Ward, with Martin Emerson Jr also taking a big step forward last year. The expectation is that those three will lock down receivers again this season.
It’s not the same story in between the line and the secondary. Even though Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is quickly ascending into a top-tier linebacker, the rest of the corps has been a weak link. When Hicks signed a two-year deal with the Browns back in March, there wasn’t a ton of fanfare surrounding the signing. Certainly not nearly as much as there should have been, because he’s the perfect addition to a team. The defense is already considered elite, but adding Hicks shores up their only weak link.
Hicks spent his last two years with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was a leader on and off the field for the team. In 2022, he started all 18 games (including playoffs), picking up 129 total tackles, three sacks, and ten passes broken up. His game excelled even more last season under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, as he had his highest PFF grade since 2018 of 74.5. Of 66 inside linebackers that played at least 500 snaps last year, he ranked 21st.
While most players are better against either the pass or rush, Hicks was well-rounded in both. No matter if the Browns want him to stop the run, play pass coverage, or blitz the quarterback, Hicks is going to excel. Even better, in that 2018 season, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles under Jim Schwartz, who happens to be the defensive coordinator of the Browns now.
After signing with Cleveland, Hicks talked about how comfortable he was with playing under Schwartz because of the way he was prepared every single week to perform on the field.
“One thing about Jim and his defense is it’s concise. You know your role and you know how offenses are going to attack you,” Hicks said via the Cleveland Browns’ official site. “When I look back on my career and I look back at the times and the years that I played as clear-minded as I ever have, it was with him. It was those years with Coach Schwartz. And I think that’s just due to the preparation that he brings, the understanding of the defense, the understanding of how offenses are going to try to scheme you up and then just executing at a high level.”
The Browns also signed Devin Bush to play on the opposite side of Hicks, and the former Texas Longhorns standout believes the three are going to be the perfect group to bring the linebacker corps to the next level.
“You look at JOK and his natural ability. I mean, he’s all over the field. I’ve watched him for years now. Got a ton of respect for his game,” Hicks said. “Have played against and competed against Devin Bush multiple times. So got a lot of respect for those guys. Excited to get in the room and get back established, get back to playing football because that’s what we do this for.”
Even with the struggles at linebackers, the Browns’ defense has been elite the last couple of seasons, which sets Hicks up to be the difference-maker this season. This defense already has a ton of vocal leaders, and Hicks will add to that element of the game, along with his play on the field. Hicks might not get a ton of credit overall, but when we look back on the 2024 season, it’s going to be hard to ignore the positive impact that Hicks will have.
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