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Cleveland Browns: 3 players worth trading up for in the 2019 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

This offseason, the Browns released linebacker Jamie Collins, Sr. This came just two seasons after Cleveland signed Collins to a four-year, $50 million contract. The former New England Patriots linebacker earned that deal after he put up 69 tackles in just eight games following a midseason trade. Unfortunately, injuries limited him the following season and the Brown had just six games out of him in 2017.

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Collins returned to health in 2018 and put up 104 tackles and four sacks. While it made sense that he was released, that’s a lot of production to see walk out the door. They do have Genard Avery ready for more and signed Adarius Taylor in free agency but they may not be done yet. Cleveland struggled in a few areas on defense with coverage out of linebackers being one of their biggest deficiencies.

One player in the draft who would be excellent in helping to improve in this area is Devin Bush out of Michigan. While he is slightly undersized for the position at 5-foot-11 and 234-pounds, Bush makes up for this with his 4.43 speed and instincts in the passing game. In the past two seasons, Bush recorded 161 tackles, 10 sacks, 11 pass defenses, and one pick.

He made a lot of sense when the Browns had the No. 17 pick and they might need to look around that range for a trade if he is still around. The sweet spot is No. 19 since the Pittsburgh Steelers draft 20th and are in need of a linebacker themselves. Getting in front of them helps improve their roster while keeping him away from a divisional rival.

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