Joe Schobert

Schobert arrives to Jacksonville poised to post big-time IDP production right off the bat. Teammate and fellow linebacker Myles Jack was exposed in run defense last year, and he never posted high tackle rates anyway. The fact that Jack is the three-down linebacker next to Schobert is grounds in itself to expect high tackle totals from the latter. The other reason, of course, is that Schobert piles up tackles at a high rate anyway. While playing a total of 3,050 defense snaps since 2017, he accumulated 380 tackles. Even setting aside the impressive eight sacks and six interceptions he totaled over the same span, his tackle production alone in this sample dictates an LB1 valuation. If Schobert maintains a similar tackle rate in Jacksonville and plays 1,000 snaps, he'd project for around 125 tackles. With Jack posting just 263 tackles over the last three years while playing 2,668 snaps, roughly just 99 tackles per 1,000 snaps, Schobert could project for more like 140 in such a sample going forward.

Schobert's three-down role should be safe with Jamie Collins gone, which means he basically can't fail his IDP owners. Schobert has 247 tackles in his last 1,969 snaps, and he was on pace to play more than 1,100 snaps if not for a three-week hamstring injury last year. Schobert's floor, therefore, appears to be in the 125-tackle range, with 140 plausible as well. In addition to the strong tackle production, Schobert provided his owners three sacks both of the last two years, and in what could be a ruthless Cleveland pass rush he should continue the strong work.

Schobert went wild last year, following up a rookie season of mostly special teams work with one of the league's top tackle totals. With a versatile skill set and the ability to play inside or out, Schobert should be a formidable presence for the long haul. The question in the meantime is whether he can reach the heights of last season even if Jamie Collins is healthy. Collins only played six games last year due to a concussion and, later, an MCL tear. Schobert should breeze past triple-digit tackles again, but he might have to do it on 850 snaps instead of 1,072.

Schobert logged 28 tackles in his rookie campaign in 2016, and the linebacker will look to build on that this season, as a back up to Jamie Collins. Collins is a former Pro Bowler and considered one of the best at his craft, so it may be difficult for Schobert to make an impact as long as he’s behind Collins on the depth chart.