Browns: Top 5 linebacker targets in the 2018 NFL Draft

5. Josey Jewell, Iowa

Josey Jewell is the definition of a flex linebacker, and a value pick in this year’s draft class. The Iowa Hawkeyes product put up monster stats for the season, and emerged as a cornerstone of the front seven in Iowa City.

Standing at a stocky build at 6-foot-2 and weighing 230-pounds, Jewell is just a tad undersized as a linebacker if anything. According to WalterFootball.com‘s linebackers list, he is projected to run near a 4.7-second 40-yard dash.

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As noted before, Jewell stuffed the stat sheet during his final season with the Hawkeyes. In 2017 alone, he racked up an impressive 136 tackles (13.5 for loss) as well as 4.5 sacks, 11 batted passes, and two interceptions.

Jewell is perhaps one of the best run defenders in this class, and his statistics and film both show that. During Iowa’s beatdown of Ohio State, Jewell helped to shut down the Buckeyes’ potent rushing attack with J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber.

Jewell might not test off the charts at the Scouting Combine in March, but he certainly is a hard-nosed defender with great instincts. Even missing games with injury, Jewell put up numbers during his career with Iowa.

If the Browns want to continue to bolster their run defense, Jewell might be the right pick late on day two. His stock could continue to rise to an earlier day two pick, but he could be well worth it for Cleveland.

As mentioned before, not a lot of Iowa football players are busts. The Browns could have a sure thing at linebacker on day two if they choose to go with Josey Jewell.