The new league year is just around the corner, and the Browns' roster could have a bit of a different look to it by this time next month.
Throughout the week, we're going to break down Cleveland's roster situation at each of its position groups and look across the league at the top names likely to hit free agency starting March 18.
We're continuing Wednesday with the linebackers, where the Browns are as young as any team in the NFL.
Who's back?
Mack Wilson - The fifth-round rookie was thrust into major duty when Christian Kirksey was lost for the season with a chest injury. He finished with 82 tackles and an interception in 14 starts.
Sione Takitaki - The third-round rookie mostly saw action on special teams. He appeared in 15 games and accumulated 21 tackles.
Tae Davis - Claimed via waivers at the midpoint of the season, Davis was a spark plug on special teams.
Jermaine Grace - A late-season practice squad addition who was added to the 90-man roster earlier this year.
Willie Harvey - An undrafted free agent, Harvey appeared in two games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Montrel Meander - A former defensive back, Meander did not see the field in 2019.
Unrestricted free agents
Joe Schobert - The Pro Bowl linebacker has been Cleveland's leading tackler for each of the past three seasons. This past year was, perhaps, his best, as he finished with 133 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He is NFL.com's No. 45 free agent.
Get ready for free agency next week by checking out photos of upcoming free agents by position continuing with the linebackers
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller (17) ) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Green Bay. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) chases the action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (51) rests against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL NFC Championship football game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs on the field against the Seattle Seahawks during player introductions prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 28-23. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in action on defense during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 28-23. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez reacts after a third down stop during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, November 24, 2019, in in Atlanta. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Janoris Jenkins (20) and outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) tackle Philadelphia Eagles tight end Josh Perkins (81) during an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) in action on defense during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Falcons defeated the Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kareem Martin (96) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Atlanta. The Falcons beat the Panthers 40-20. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants linebacker Kareem Martin (96) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) defends during the NFC Championship playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers won, 37-20. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) is tackled boy Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alex Ogletree (52) celebrates a missed field goal during a regular season Week 2 NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Sept 17, 2017 in Los Angeles. The Redskins beat the Rams 27-20 (Matt Patterson via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) reacts during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 40-9. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kareem Martin in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) looks into the backfield during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) gives a pregame speech in the huddle during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders, 40-9. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) looks on as he enters the field through the team tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders, 40-9. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) takes the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. The Saints won 26-18. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) runs after an interception during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday Nov. 24, 2019 in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Dolphins 41-24. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell (24) runs as Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) defends in the second half of an NFL football, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) intercepts the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) returns an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Bears, 17-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) prepares for the snap during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Bills 19-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) defends during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Steelers, 21-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in New Orleans. The Falcons defeated the Saints 26-9. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 49-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) makes a move in the defensive secondary during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. The Rams won 37-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) stands during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. The Rams won 37-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) defends during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Rams, 30-29. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil (59) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 27-3. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil (59) during a NFL football game Sunday October 13, 2019 in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 23-17. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil (59) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 23-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive end Keionta Davis (58) after making a reception during NFL Super Bowl 53, on Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (Paul Abell via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) takes the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 06, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Cardinals won 26-23. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won in overtime 26-23. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) celebrates during NFL Super Bowl 53 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams, 13-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals' Nick Vigil (59) tackles Buffalo Bills' Zay Jones (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Giants linebacker Kareem Martin (96) rests during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) runs after interecpting a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants linebacker Kareem Martin (96) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-20. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Kareem Martin (96) rushes during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, East Rutherford, NJ. The Saints defeated the Giants 33-18. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during an NFL regular season football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Cleveland. The Browns won in overtime, 12-9. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alex Ogletree (52) enters during pregame introductions before a regular season Week 10 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday November 12, 2017 in Los Angeles. The Rams beat the Texans 33-7 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Top Linebackers Available (rankings from NFL.com's top 101 free agents)
15. Cory Littleton, Rams - After serving mostly as a reserve in his first two seasons, Littleton has been a force since taking over as a starter in 2018. The Pro Bowl linebacker has a combined 259 tackles, 7.5 sacks and five interceptions over the past two seasons.
44. Kyle Van Noy, Patriots - After struggling with the Lions for three seasons, he's been a valuable member of the New England defense for the past three seasons, racking up 221 tackles and 15.5 sacks.
52. Jamie Collins, Patriots - The former Browns LB is coming off one of his best seasons in years. On top of his 81 tackles, Collins had a career-best seven sacks and three interceptions.
64. Blake Martinez, Packers - He's been an every-game starter for most of his four years in Green Bay, posting a whopping 512 tackles.
66. Nick Kwiatkowski, Bears - He saw the most action of his career in 2019 when he filled in for an injured Danny Trevathan. Kwiatkowski started eight games and finished with 76 tackles.
80. De'Vondre Campbell, Falcons - The former fourth-round pick has been a regular in Atlanta's defense since his rookie season. He posted a career-high 129 tackles and two interceptions last season.
Other names to know: Alec Ogletree (free agent), Jake Ryan (Jaguars), Wesley Woodyard (Titans), Patrick Onwuasor (Ravens), Darron Lee (Chiefs).
Check out photos of Browns who will become unrestricted, restricted, or exclusive rights free agents in March.
Rashard Higgins - Unrestricted Free Agent
Joe Schobert - Unrestricted Free Agent
Robert McCray - Exclusive Rights Free Agent
Drew Stanton - Unrestricted Free Agent
Justin McCray - Restricted Free Agent
Kareem Hunt - Restricted Free Agent
Damarious Randall - Unrestricted Free Agent
KhaDarel Hodge - Exclusive Rights Free Agent
Juston Burris - Unrestricted Free Agent
Dontrell Hilliard - Exclusive Rights Free Agent
Ricky Seals-Jones - Restricted Free Agent
Bryan Cox - Restricted Free Agent
Eric Murray - Unrestricted Free Agent
Pharaoh Brown - Exclusive Rights Free Agent
