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4 players the Cleveland Browns can’t afford to lose in 2022

By Chad Porto

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, knocks Cleveland Browns running back Johnny Stanton (40) out of bounds during NFL football practice, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Berea, Ohio.Brownscamp12 18
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, knocks Cleveland Browns running back Johnny Stanton (40) out of bounds during NFL football practice, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Berea, Ohio.Brownscamp12 18 /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns lines up against fullback Patrick Ricard #42 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns lines up against fullback Patrick Ricard #42 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

This is an obvious selection but not for every reason you may think of. Yes, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a good player. The Browns clearly need him, so why does such an obvious selection get a spot? Well, a lot of people spoke highly about his ability against the pass last year. He was instrumental in the improvement of the pass defense for 2022.

That’s true, he was. The passing defense was much better, even if the pass-rush was markedly worse than expected. We can all agree that Owusu-Koramoah was an instant impact player for the Browns. So how come, if Owusu-Koramoah had such a Justin Credible/Lance Storm-like effect on the team, does he make the list this year?

Well, it isn’t just his ability to play coverages that sold people on Uwusu-Koramoah, no, it was his ability to tackle as well. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago he’s deemed “undersized” and play strong safety, but in today’s NFL, guys are smaller and faster. Owusu-Koramoah is the perfect guy to play outside linebacker in today’s NFL.

In fact, dare I say, without him, Joe Wood’s 4-2-5 defense doesn’t work. I mean, we know that without him it doesn’t work. We saw it fail constantly in 2020. Adding Owusu-Koramoah gave Woods the ability to call defenses the way he wanted to because he didn’t have to sacrifice the ability to stop the run over the ability to stop the pass.

There isn’t one linebacker on the Browns who can do what he can, and be that consistent regardless of the down and distance.

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