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Grading the Cleveland Browns 2021 NFL Draft picks

By Chad Porto

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
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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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 31: Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on October 31, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 31: Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on October 31, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Round 5, Pick 25 – S Richard LeCounte

It’s not exactly the easiest thing to make every pick look great when you’re an NFL team. The 2021 NFL Draft has been kind to the Cleveland Browns, so when we criticize the pick of Richard LeCounte, it’s not a shot at the organization. LeCounte just has a lot of holes.

The folks on ESPN talked about all the great things that he brings to the table as a football player, that he has all the “skills” to be a good NFL player, and that his lack of speed wasn’t an issue at Georgia. The problem comes with that argument. It was college, not the pros. No matter how much money ESPN has invested by putting over the SEC, the SEC as a football conference is on the same level as the NFL and it’s not even close.

What translated in college very rarely translates in the NFL. Having a safety who is closer to a 5.0 40-yard dash, than a 4.0 40-yard dash is huge. If a fast receiver gets past a corner, LeCounte will have to run with him and if the receiver is a real burner, then LeCounte will struggle. That’s not an insult, it’s just math.

Both linebacker hybrids the Browns took in the draft are faster than LeCounte, for a point of reference. LeCounte is considered a great mind though and may be able to really make a difference, but considering the criteria we have set up, it’s hard to argue that he’s a good prospect on paper. Yes, the Browns needed a safety, but he doesn’t appear to fit Joe Woods’ speed-first defense, so he was a bit of a reach and he has no obvious X-factor.

Some believe that his motorcycle accident in November affected his speed, but it was only reported to have been a concussion, bruised ribs, and a shoulder injury that was cleared up enough for him to return to practice seven weeks later. Now, anything’s possible, but bruised ribs usually clear up in two months or so, and aren’t known to affect speed four months after completely healing.

We’re always rooting for the guys to do well, don’t misconstrue what we’re saying, but we have to be objective and with what this draft has been about so far for the Browns, it’s hard to argue that this pick falls in line with the idea of getting faster. Especially at a position historically known for being fast.

Grade: C-

It’ll be interesting to see if he can step up and make an impact on the team.

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