Cleveland Browns: 3 trade targets on Falcons should they sell
By Cory Kinnan
2. LB Foyesade Oluokun
It is a tough reality to face when the two best linebackers on the roster are a journeyman veteran in Malcolm Smith and a rookie who cannot stay healthy in Jacob Phillips. The Browns have perhaps the worst linebackers in the country as neither Mack Wilson or Sione Takitaki have not taken a step forward in year-two in Cleveland.
While the Falcons have Deion Jones on their roster, there is little hope of the Browns trading for him given his contract. Also, given the amount of dead money attached to his name, the Falcons will likely be unwilling to part ways with Jones in order to eat his guarantees. There is another linebacker on the roster in Atlanta, however, who could be a fit in Cleveland.
Foyesade Oluokun, a former sixth round pick in 2018, still has the rest of this season and next season on his rookie deal left, making less than $1 million in 2021. He has 15 games of starting experience under his belt, entering his first season as the fulltime starter at the second level in Atlanta.
He excels in coverage, an area where the Browns’ linebackers significantly struggle, but has forced four turnovers already on the year (one interception and three forced fumbles), and racked up 33 solo tackles to this point. The cost on Oluokun would be relatively inexpensive, and the Browns would not have to work out a new deal with him in a hurry. Besides, he would not break the bank on a new deal in the future regardless.