Grading the Cleveland Browns 2021 NFL Draft picks
By Chad Porto
Round 5, Pick 9 – LB/S Tony Fields II
The Browns have made versatility the name of the game for the 2021 NFL Draft, especially at linebacker. Tony Fields will be yet another player like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who the Browns can use at both safety and linebacker depending on the situation the defense as a whole is in. The defense could be even better than expected if Tony Fields is able to get on the field early and stay on the field as often as possible.
Having both Owusu-Koramoah and Fields on the field at the same time would actually allow the Browns to have “three” linebackers on the field at all times, but that’s only if Fields can actually prove he’s worth starting. Being able to play with versatility is important in the modern NFL.
If Fields and Owusu-Koramoah can both stay on the field at the same time, then both men could just drop into zone coverage and really make some noise. Neither man is a great pass-rusher but both are great tacklers.
Fields in his own right had 375 total tackles as his four years as a starter for the Mountaineers. He never had less than 88 tackles in his career with West Virginia and when you think about that ability, with his speed, he could be a real threat. If he can learn to cover as well as an average NFL pro, then he’ll be a real steal.
Grade: B+
His versatility is great, but a true safety would’ve been better, or finally addressing the defensive end spot.