BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns selected outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but two years removed from entering the professional ranks after a standout career at Louisiana State University, he will have earn his spot on the field.
Although Mingo showed grit by battling through a shoulder injury for almost all of the 2014 season, with addition of Nate Orchard, one of the NCAA's most effective pass-rushing linebackers last year, the third-year professional must show a consistent ability to be disruptive in order to stay on the field.
"When we came out of training camp last year, we thought Mingo was one of our best outside backers," Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil said. "We all know about the injury he suffered in play two of the season. He is going to have to compete for playing time on early downs. He's going to have a role in our sub-packages.
"No one is guaranteed anything on the defense. Joe Haden knows that. Donte Whitner knows that and Karlos Dansby knows that. You're going to have to earn playing time. We're deep in every position group. Mingo is going to have to come back ready to go, and he's going to have to earn it."
Despite the injury, Mingo, who spent the better part of two seasons converting from defensive end to outside linebacker, started 11 of the 15 games in which he played in 2014. He made 39 total tackles, 24 of which were solo stops, had two sacks, broke up four passes and recovered a fumble.
After having offseason surgery to repair his shoulder injury, Mingo was able to do much of the individual work throughout OTAs and minicamp. Although Mingo was not able to participate fully while rehabbing his way back into playing shape, he did "a great job" handling his responsibilities with the defense.
"I think where Mingo has really taken a step this year, he's been able to participate in all of the passing stuff, all of the 7-on-7 drills with the red shirt on," O'Neil said.
"Coming out of LSU, he had no experience with that stuff. Right now, he's by far our best linebacker in coverage, our best outside backer. Now, we're going to see where he is when we get back to training camp and the pads come on of how he is at outside backer setting the edge, how he is as a defensive end rushing the quarterback and that kind of stuff. We were very optimistic about Mingo coming out of training camp last year.
"We've improved the depth, we've improved the competition in that room with a Scott Solomon, a Nate Orchard, like we have in every room. Guys are going to have to earn it. We don't care where you were drafted, when you were drafted, how much you're getting paid; the best 11 guys and the guys who earn their roles are the guys who are going to play."
