Questionable
Injury Ankle
Est. Return 7/1/2026
2025 Defense Stats
TCKL
156
SACKS
2.5
INT
2
FF
0
TD
0
2026 Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Plenty of defensive rookies made a strong impact on their team in 2025, but Schwesinger was rightfully crowned the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. He finished sixth in the league in tackles, led Cleveland's defense in snaps and also immediately wore the green dot. That combination, plus the departure of Devin Bush and ongoing absence of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, should give fantasy managers a lot of confidence that Schwesinger can come close to replicating his stat line from 2025. There isn't much room for him to take a step forward statistically, but like many rookies, Schwesinger did show some leaks in coverage - a projected weakness when he entered the league. While that may be an area worth monitoring in future seasons, Cleveland has little choice but to play Schwesinger as an every-down defender while serving as the leader of the defense in 2026. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a four-year, $11.8 million contract with the Browns in May of 2025.
Earns rookie honors
Schwesinger (ankle) was named the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Schwesinger had a standout rookie season and quickly became a leader in the middle of Cleveland's defense. He logged 156 total tackles across 16 regular-season games, while also logging 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. Schwesinger missed the final game of the campaign with an ankle injury, but the issue is not expected to affect his preparation for his sophomore year as a pro.
Schwesinger had a standout rookie season and quickly became a leader in the middle of Cleveland's defense. He logged 156 total tackles across 16 regular-season games, while also logging 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. Schwesinger missed the final game of the campaign with an ankle injury, but the issue is not expected to affect his preparation for his sophomore year as a pro.
NFL Stats
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2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Browns 2025 LB Snap Distribution#% of Team Snaps
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2025 Carson Schwesinger Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Carson Schwesinger's measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"Weight
242 lbsVertical Jump
39.5 inHand Length
9.25 inArm Length
31.63 in
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Schwesinger was a slightly surprising pick at 33rd overall by the Browns, who had several needs on offense. It turns out a neck injury to standout linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will force him to miss 2025 and possibly end his career. Hence, the need to upgrade the position. Schwesinger plays with a high motor and is in constant chase mode. In his first season as a starter for UCLA in 2024, he led all FBS with 90 solo tackles (136 overall). Schwesinger is expected to step into Owusu-Koramoah's spot at weakside linebacker and should immediately have a significant impact in IDP leagues.
More Fantasy News
Heads to IR with ankle injury
The Browns placed Schwesinger (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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Missing season finale
Schwesinger (quadriceps/ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Held out of practice Wednesday
Schwesinger (quad/ankle) was a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
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Played through injury
Schwesinger played through a thigh injury in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
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Continues impressive campaign
Schwesinger tallied 14 tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in a Week 16 loss to Buffalo on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Top-100 player after rookie year
Schwesinger was voted the 93rd-best player in the NFL by his fellow players, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Schwesinger has been recognized as a top-100 player by his peers after an outstanding rookie season during which the 2025 second-round pick racked up 156 tackles for the Browns en route to being named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The linebacker will be counted upon to lead Cleveland's defense in his second NFL campaign after the Browns traded star pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Rams in June. Schwesinger is expected to be healthy for the regular season after finishing his rookie campaign on injured reserve due to an ankle injury.
Schwesinger has been recognized as a top-100 player by his peers after an outstanding rookie season during which the 2025 second-round pick racked up 156 tackles for the Browns en route to being named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The linebacker will be counted upon to lead Cleveland's defense in his second NFL campaign after the Browns traded star pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Rams in June. Schwesinger is expected to be healthy for the regular season after finishing his rookie campaign on injured reserve due to an ankle injury.