Joe Schobert should pique the Giants’ interest

The Cleveland Browns will not be retaining star inside linebacker Joe Schobert, according to veteran Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot.

From Rotoworld:

Schobert is reportedly looking for something north of $10 million annually, which the Browns simply aren’t willing to meet. The 26-year-old LB has been a three-down player for the past three seasons. Schobert racked up four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2019, emerging as one of the defense’s true difference-making talents. The former fourth-round pick has played in 61-of-64 games since entering the league in 2016.

The New York Giants, who released Alec Ogletree last week, are in the market for inside linebackers and the 26-year-old Schobert, a former Pro Bowler who led the league in tackles in 2017, should pique the interest of general manager Dave Gettleman.

Schobert was a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2016 and, wait, don’t the Giants have one of those already?

Yes, they do. Last year, the Giants selected Ryan Connelly, another Badger, in the fifth-round of the draft. Connelly suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 and missed the remainder of the season. Schobert is cut from the same cloth, so it remains to be seen if the Giants are interested in having two Wisconsin linebackers on their roster. Good players are good players no matter where they come from.

There’s still a possibility the Browns find the cap space to bring Schobert back, but if they don’t, the Giants should be all over this one.