Cleveland Browns 2016 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
By Ryan Rosko
Round 7. An Option To Get After The Quarterback
53. . Defensive End/Outside Linebacker. Maryland. Yannick Ngakoue. 223. player
Over the last two seasons, Yannick Ngakoue sacked the quarterback 19 times, including 13 this past season. The Cleveland Browns defense has been pretty bad for a few years now, especially in 2015.
Ngakoue can add depth at defensive end, but his skill set also and athleticism would also be a good fit as an outside linebacker. To get the most out of his play, the Cleveland Browns would be wise to move him around a bit, but ultimately ending up as an outside linebacker.
In college, he set the edge regularly and he did a good job at it. However, in the NFL Ngakoue should be standing up. That is not to say he should stop setting the edge. Ngakoue should play defensive end until his transition to playing standing up is complete.
Given how low and elusive he can get, in addition to his previous success, why wouldn’t he still play there to start his career? Thinking long-term, his play and size best suits him as a linebacker. Should Ngakoue stay strictly as an outside linebacker, he may need a bit more time to develop into the player teams would like to see but the wait will be worth it.
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If Ngakoue were to improve for the Cleveland Browns at a faster than expected level, he could be the replacement for current Browns veterans who have been struggling to meet expectations. Whichever position Ngakoue plays, or if he plays a hybrid role of both OLB/DE, he is simply a football player that will make plays.