CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns’ approach at linebacker this offseason is going to be interesting to watch. It’s a study in how they view building their defense and it’s safe to say linebacker is lower on the pecking order than pass rusher and guys who can cover.

The Browns also have two young linebackers waiting in the wings in Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki, players drafted in the fifth and third rounds respectively. If positional spending matters, those two leave the Browns in good shape financially.

There are two types of linebackers -- middle and edge -- and we’re jumping back and forth across the line between the two in determining value in free agency. Here is how some of the free agents at linebacker shake out as far as who will be expensive, who falls in the middle and who offer a value buy.

$$$: High demand

Cory Littleton -- Rams

2019 salary: $3.095 million

Projected salary (from overthecap.com via PFF): $12 million/year

An undrafted free agent in 2016, Littleton is about to hit the open market in search of a big payday. He’s appeared in every game of his four-year career and started 37, including all 32 the last two seasons.

Over the last two seasons, he has five interceptions, two forced fumbles and 7.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus graded Littleton as their No. 8 linebacker in 2019 and he was tied for the best tackling grade among linebackers. His strength is coverage.

Shaq Barrett -- Buccaneers

2019 salary: $1 million

Projected salary: $16.5 million/year

Barrett’s career renaissance in Tampa came with a league-leading 19.5 sacks, more sacks than he had in five seasons combined in Denver. While you’re paying him to get to the quarterback, he’s been good against the run throughout his career.

If he avoids getting tagged and makes it to market, anyone who pays Barrett is betting last season wasn’t an outlier, but there’s enough there as a pass rusher to believe he’s worth a good contract, even if he’s not going to lead the league in sacks every year.

Dante Fowler -- Rams

2019 salary: $9 million

Projected salary: $15 million/year

Fowler’s a hybrid, but he wears a number in the 50s and lined up as an outside linebacker more than he did on the defensive line in 2019. Much like Barrett, he’s an EDGE. The former No. 3 overall pick who was traded to LA in 2018 could be a candidate for a tag.

$$: Medium demand

Joe Schobert -- Browns

2019 salary: $2.025 million

Projected salary: $11 million/year

The fact Schobert appears on his way to hitting the market would indicate a belief there’s someone out there willing to pay him big money. I’m still not sure he’s going to find top dollar as far as the inside linebackers are concerned, but there’s money for Schobert to make.

He has shown steady improvement since sliding from outside in his rookie year to the MIKE role in Gregg Williams’ scheme in 2017, the year he made the Pro Bowl. Schobert has been durable and reliable. Tackling issues have dogged him, but his athleticism has been a valuable asset as he’s grown into his role in the middle.

Kyle Van Noy -- Patriots

2019 salary: $4.25 million

Projected salary: $10.5 million/year

This is where money is relative. His projected salary is a big number if we’re talking about an inside linebacker. Van Noy, however, is an edge rusher, so the $10.5 million number offers some value.

Van Noy has 15.5 sacks over his last three seasons and was credited by PFF with 43 hurries last season.

Bud Dupree -- Steelers

2019 salary: $9.232 million

Projected salary: $14 million/year

It’s hard to figure out where Dupree fits on this list, but we have to adjust for edge rusher vs. inside.

Dupree is coming off his best season, registering 11.5 sacks. He just turned 27 last month.

Blake Martinez -- Packers

2019 salary: $2.025 million

Projected salary: $9 million/year

Martinez joins Schobert and Littleton as inside linebackers who didn’t have the highest draft stock -- Martinez was a fourth-round pick -- but now hit the market as the primes begin. He’s put together four productive years in Green Bay including starting every game the last three seasons and racking up 512 tackles and 29 tackles for loss.

Martinez finds himself right in the middle of tiers on this chart. He might offer some of the best value of this inside group. Much like Schobert, he’s struggled with tackling, but he’s a solid player in the middle.

Jamie Collins -- Patriots

2019 salary: $900,000

Projected salary: $7.5 million/year

Collins, now 30 years old, had a resurgent 2019 with the Patriots after the Browns sent him packing last offseason. He’s coming off his best season since his 2015 Pro Bowl year and set career highs with three interceptions and seven sacks. He also forced three fumbles.

Assuming the Patriots will have him, it’s probably best for him to stay in New England and Bill Belichick’s system where he has thrived. If not, Collins, who already has a big payday in his back pocket from the Browns, could offer real value to someone if they can coax a few more strong seasons out of him.

$: Value buys

Josh Bynes -- Ravens

2019 salary: $930,000

Projected salary: $1.03 million/year

The veteran Bynes rejoined the Ravens after their Week 4 loss to the Browns and played in all 12 remaining games with seven starts. Bynes, who turns 31 in August, had two interceptions, a sack and six tackles for loss. PFF graded him as their No. 20 linebacker and gave him strong marks for both his run defense and coverage.

If you’re looking for a Super Bowl winner who can still play in the middle of a defense, there’s real value in Bynes, value likely not lost on the Ravens.

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