Browns: Tony Fields II brings versatility to the linebacking corp with another solid pick

The Browns have taken Tony Fields in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft

The Browns have admitted through the 2021 NFL Draft that their linebacking corp was bad, and sought to upgrade it with their second selection of a linebacker in West Virginia Tony Fields II. He’s a 6’1, 220 lb linebacker, who can play both safety and linebacker for the Browns if needed.

The Browns draft has all been about versatility and Fields helps secure that sentiment. The hosts during the 2021 NFL Draft described Fields as the Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of West Virginia, a smaller but faster linebacker who can step up and play the run from a linebacking spot but also fall back into coverage and not being completely gashed by faster players.

Getting both Fields and Owusu-Koramoah on the team at the same time will more than likely give the Browns two starters (or one starter, one possible starter), who can do the same thing. If Fields can prove his worth in training camp and earn playing time, then it’s entirely possible the Browns have two three-down linebackers who won’t need to leave the field, but that’s a big if in the case of Fields.

Browns continue to address the defense with Tony Field during the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Browns have secured their defense really well with two hybrid players in Tony Fields and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who will be played at linebacker and as a third safety more than likely. They weren’t it, as the Browns also landed cornerback Greg Newsome in the first round and defensive tackle Tommy Togiai in the fourth round.

All four men will look to earn significant playing time in training camp and may be able to do just that. All four men bring speed upgrades over the former starters in 2020 and the Browns are making sure that if they face a team like Kansas City again in the playoffs, that speed is no longer the issue.