Ranking and grading each Browns rookie from the 2021 NFL season

Cleveland Browns Demetric Felton (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns Demetric Felton (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Safety Richard LeCounte III #39 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Giants 17-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Safety Richard LeCounte III #39 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Giants 17-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

4. S Richard LeCounte – No. 39

  • Drafted: Round 5, 169
  • PFF Score: 63.5
  • Stats: Nine games, one start, three tackles
  • Grade: D

Like with others up until this point, fans thought Richard LeCounte was going to be a steal. They thought his 40-time of a 4.76 was a misnomer and that due to an accident that injured his foot when it healed would see him return to form. Not just as a speedster but as a football player.

After seeing him be ineffective to the point that the team converted CB M.J. Stewart to a safety (too much success), it was obvious that whatever hope LeCounte had as a rookie had been destroyed completely.

Like with the others on this list so far, there’s potential in him as a project but unlike the rest of the other players, LeCounte started a game and didn’t look great doing so. He’s also still recovering from his injuries, and we may have seen the best version of LeCounte we’re going to, as his injuries were significant.

The Browns are also in need of better play from their safeties, and John Johnson’s contract is too big to move at the moment, so if someone has to be dealt or released to make room for more steady, reliable players, then expect LeCounte to be on the shortlist.