Grading the Cleveland Browns 2021 NFL Draft picks

By Chad Porto | May 1, 2021

Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Greg Newsome II (Northwestern) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell over video call after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number 26 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #30 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish retuns a kick during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 20 – LB/S Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Getting a legitimate hybrid linebacker-safety in the first round is a big deal. Getting a first-round player in the second round, who’s also a hybrid linebacker-safety? That’s even bigger. That’s why the selection of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah should be as celebrated as it is. Owusu-Koramoah is one of the better surprises picks in the first two days of the 2021 NFL Draft and helps secure not just the linebacking spot but the safety spot as well.

The Browns defense will often run sets with three linebackers, three corners, or three safeties at any given time. That means Owusu-Koramoah will more than likely not just start this year but will be a three-down player at two different positions.

He’ll not only join in securing the linebacking corp but also giving the safeties a big-hitting option and how often do you get a player who can do that. Greg Newsome III was a great prospect but at a position, the Browns weren’t exactly in need of. Owusu-Koramoah is a great prospect who can fit in at two positions that needed help at.

That’s going to be why one gets a better grade.

Grade: A+

Getting such a dynamic pick in the second round isn’t a steal, but grand theft.

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