Cleveland Browns: 3 Players with rising stock, training camp Week 1
By Randy Gurzi
2. Genard Avery, Linebacker
Some people need to readjust how they grade draft picks. There was nothing about the tape that Memphis linebacker Genard Avery put out there that suggested he should be a fifth-round pick. Yet, that’s where he went. And for he Browns, who have an amazing linebacker corps, the rich only got richer with that bank robbery.
The funny thins about Avery is he could be starting on several NFL teams today. For Cleveland, he won’t be thanks to their team consisting of Mychal Kendricks, Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins and Joe Schobert. Even with that plethora of talent, look for Avery to find time on the field. And it may not just be at linebacker.
Many people are raving about the size of Avery as teammates have said he looks like a defensive lineman out there. There’s even some, like offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, who believe he can find time on the field rushing from the edge.
#Browns OL Joel Bitonio on rookie LB Genard Avery “I think he’s going to be the real deal. I know it’s early but he can really rush the passer. They’re going to play him at stand-up LB but when we need to rush the passer, he can play on the edge and really make things happen”
— The Ken Carman Show w/ Anthony Lima (@KenCarmanShow) July 27, 2018
This concept wouldn’t be foreign to Avery. According to Sports Reference, the 248-Pound defender had 8.5 sacks his senior season for the Tigers and finished his collegiate career with 21.5 in four seasons.
Avery is quickly turning heads and anyone who paid attention to him in college isn’t the least bit surprised.