Cleveland Browns: New year’s Day 7-Round mock brings new hope
By Randy Gurzi
Round 7: T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina
Cleveland added a couple of linebackers in their past draft, grabbing Sione Takitaki in the third and Mack Wilson in the fifth. They could stand to add more depth though as Christian Kirksey is a candidate to be released and Joe Schobert is still without a new contract.
That leads to them snatching up T.J. Brunon out of South Carolina as a project player with incredible upside. Brunson is a force for the Gamecocks who is a leader with a crazy motor according to Jonah Tuls of The Draft Network.
"“Plays with a nonstop motor and as if there were no whistle. Possesses tone-setting stopping power and is a consistent, reliable finisher in both traffic and the open field. A natural leader who energizes everyone around him. Trusts his instincts and is rarely out of position. Understands lane discipline and angle trajectory. Offers value as a situational pass rusher and blitzer. Three-year starter with excellent production.” — Tuls, The Draft Network"
The problem is his athleticism and size aren’t where you want them to be. Again, these late picks are never fully polished players but Brunson is the kind of guy you take a chance on.
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Early in his career, he looks to be a monster on special teams and even if that’s all he ever does, it’s not a bad pick in the final round.