Mack Wilson is learning on the fly in his new role as Joe Schobert continues to make All-Pro push
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mack Wilson was not supposed to be in this position. But when Christian Kirksey’s season ended due to injury, the fifth-round rookie linebacker out of Alabama was thrust into the Browns’ starting lineup.
Through six games, Wilson has 26 tackles, 16 solo tackles and one tackle for a loss.
“Mack is doing a really good job right now. Obviously, it is on-the-job training being a young guy, so he is going to go through some growing pains,” linebacker coach Al Holcomb said. “Every day, he learns more and more and more and he is starting to feel a little more comfortable not only with the system but with the speed of the game at this level.”
Like most rookies, young linebackers tend to struggle with communication and pre-snap alignment. Holcomb said Wilson continues to show progress in those two vital areas.
As Wilson continues to develop as an NFL backer, Holcomb added his natural football instincts keep shining.
“He does have a natural feel in space, instincts and being able to read the quarterback and the route progression. Honestly, I am excited about Mack every time he steps on the field,” he said. “I think he is a dynamic player. He is a young player that will continue to develop, but I feel like he has a knack for the ball. He will be around the football and he is going to be a big time player for us.”
Luckily for Wilson, he has the experience of Joe Schobert to lean on. Schobert’s 62 tackles are tied for the league high with the Panthers’ Luke Kuechly and Arizona’s Jordan Hicks.
As Schobert mounts another Pro Bowl push and possible All-Pro bid, it’ll be a shared responsibility of his and the Browns to bring Wilson along gradually.
A job the Wisconsin product is fit for.
“He is a student of the game. His football IQ is extremely high,” Holcomb said of Schobert. “He studies it, he works at it, he takes coaching and he wants to do everything that we are asking him to do. He wants to do it the right way.”
