Cardinals claim Tanner Vallejo after LB is waived by Browns

The Arizona Cardinals claimed linebacker Tanner Vallejo on Tuesday after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker appeared in 13 outings with Cleveland in 2018 and recorded 20 tackles. He forced two fumbles and on special teams added seven more tackles.

As a rookie in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills, Vallejo played in 14 games, racking up four tackles.

Vallejo, a Boise State product, was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft as the 195th overall pick.

Arizona will be active in upgrading at linebacker. Outside of veteran Josh Bynes, it was one of their most problematic positions in terms of consistent production last season. The Cardinals early on benched first-round picks Haason Reddick and Deone Bucannon while struggling through a 3-13 campaign under since-fired first-year head coach Steve Wilks.

Bucannon and veteran Gerald Hodges are among the position group’s notable free agents this offseason.

The Cardinals, due to their 2018 record, are first on the waiver wire.

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