Cleveland Browns: In-state 2021 NFL Draft prospect fits

Could the Cleveland Browns stay in-state in the 2021 NFL Draft?

In the past, the Cleveland Browns have been fairly hesitant to draft players from the state of Ohio as out of state talent has risen to the board. Over the past decade, John Hughes out of Cincinnati and Denzel Ward of Ohio State have been the only players drafted from in-state schools by the Browns.

While general manager Andrew Berry will not prioritize his draft board by state as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches, there are plenty of talented prospects in the Buckeye state to keep an eye on before April approaches. Not just Ohio State and Cincinnati, but even the MAC schools have talent to keep an eye on.

Who are six prospects to keep an eye on in the state of Ohio as the Browns look to improve their roster this upcoming April?

1. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

Despite his struggles outside the numbers at cornerback for the Buckeyes this year, cornerback Shaun Wade has proven who he is as a player in the right role. In 2019, Wade dominated as a nickel cornerback who appeared at the third level of the defense occasionally for the Buckeyes as they made the College Football Playoffs.

This is the role the Browns desperately need. The lack of a good nickel has hampered the defense of Joe Woods, and Wade could bring that level of play to Cleveland from Columbus in the 2021 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, nickels do not usually land in the first round of the draft, so unless Wade improves his play outside the number, the Browns may have a chance to grab him in the first round.