CLEVELAND, Ohio – Colts ‘two-time All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard left for the Browns’ Anthony Walker on Friday.
“Well, I’m about to cry,” Leonard tweeted after the news broke that Walker (25) agreed a one-year deal with the Browns to $ 3.5 million with bonuses and incentives. “If you really understand the impact on a locker room.”
Walker, who started 48 games for the Colts, is likely to replace Browns free agent BJ Goodson unless he is re-signed by the club soon. He will also replace part of Goodson’s inspirational leadership.
‘Amazing player man, he does everything the right way! It’s hard for him to leave, but Cleveland gets a Dawg! ‘ Leonard tweeted. ‘He’s an excellent leader and he’s going to lead your defense in a great way! I will really miss him! I give him a lot of credit for my success! I would not be me without him! ”
And, ‘Crazy to see such a wonderful person, leader, player and a friend leave a dressing room! ‘
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II weighed in as well.
“You will never understand the impact one teammate can have on another,” he tweeted. “It simply came to our notice then. But it’s completely different to talk about this moment. ‘
Walker, who visited the Browns on Thursday, made his mark on the Browns last season during their 32-23 victory over the Colts when he persuaded Baker Mayfield by 7:05 to make matters worse at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Walker (6-foot-1, 230), a fifth-round pick from the Northwest Colts in 2017, collected 343 tackles, 19 for a loss, 3.5 pockets, 11 passes defended, three interceptions and two difficult repairs in its four seasons. He started 16 games last season and scored 92 tackles, but third-year linebacker Bobby Okereke will take over.
According to Pro Football Focus, Walker has the 16th best tackle efficiency and was in 20th place in tackle grade among qualifying lineouts in 2020.
The Browns re-signed 11-year-old linebacker Malcolm Smith on Wednesday for a one-year deal and will continue to improve the position.
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