Sione

Takitaki

The details of the contract have yet to be reported as the former third-round pick prepares for his first team away from his rookie contract in Cleveland. Takitaki has performed well in a “jack of all trades” role during the first five seasons of his professional career, with elite football smarts and positioning allowing him to overcome sub-elite athleticism. The Patriots typically rely heavily on their linebackers in multiple phases of the game plan, meaning there is the potential for Takitaki to carve out a significant role despite the apparent logjam at the position.

Takitaki joined the Browns as a third-round pick in 2019 and has been a valued contributor to their defense. While he’s not quite a star linebacker, Takitaki excels in multiple areas of the game and consistently grades in the top-20 of PFF rankings. He suffered a torn ACL in last season’s matchup against the Texans but still finished third on the team in tackles (71) and fifth in TFLs. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Takitaki “plans to be back close to the beginning of the season.”

Takitaki led all Browns linebackers in snaps at the time of his injury. He finishes 2022 with 36 solo tackles and 34 assists, with four tackles for a loss and one sack. It’s an unfortunate loss for the Browns’ defense and bad timing for Takitaki, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He could ultimately sign a short-term prove-it deal.

It effectively ends Takitaki’s third pro season, one in which his snaps were essentially cut in half from last year. He played just 28% of the Browns’ defensive plays across Weeks 1-17, appearing in 15 games. The former third-round pick at No. 80 overall in 2019, Takitaki might find himself on the roster bubble next offseason as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal.

Takitaki will rejoin the Browns for Sunday’s game with the Titans. The 2019 third-rounder has started 8-of-10 games and played 39% of defensive snaps this season. Cleveland also activated DE Joe Jackson from the COVID-19 list.

LB Sione Takitaki tested positive for the virus Wednesday and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, while contact tracing revealed no high-risk contacts, according to the team. Cleveland’s Week 12 matchup with the Jaguars isn’t in danger yet. Another day of new positive COVID-19 tests could change that.

He tested positive and joins Myles Garrett on the list. Takitaki recorded a 50-yard pick-six of Carson Wentz last week and has played 39% of the Browns’ defensive snaps this season after being taken in the third round of the 2019 draft. He’s arguably the Browns’ top linebacker and will be sidelined a minimum of 10 days.

With Takitaki signed, the Browns now have their entire rookie class under contract. The BYU alum could be looked at as a replacement for Jamie Collins, who Cleveland cut earlier this offseason.

Initially recruited as a fullback out of high school, the 6'1" 238-lb two-year starter finished with 118 tackles as a MIKE linebacker in his senior campaign. Although Takitaki improved his character issues throughout his collegiate stint off the field, he tends to rely on straight motor skills and react on pure instinct while on it. Despite coming off the board in the third round, the BYU backer projects as an extremely raw talent with straight-line speed that should shine on special teams. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notably graded him as a sixth-round pick.

Initially recruited as a fullback out of high school, the 6'1" 238-lb two-year starter finished with 118 tackles as a MIKE linebacker in his senior campaign. Although Takitaki improved his character issues throughout his collegiate stint off the field, he tends to rely on straight motor skills and react on pure instinct while on it. Despite coming off the board in the third round, the BYU backer projects as an extremely raw talent with straight-line speed that should shine on special teams. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notably graded him as a sixth-round pick.