2021 NFL Draft: 3 prospects Cleveland Browns should avoid in Round 1

2. Jabril Cox, Linebacker, LSU

Coming into the 2021 NFL draft, Jabril Cox was a player that I thought would be the perfect fit for the Cleveland Browns. Cox is athletic and has great coverage skills, and at 6-foot-4, 231-pounds, he also has the size and strength to be a dominant force in the run game.

Why have I fallen out of love with Cox? His game certainly hasn’t changed, but his stock has skyrocketed the last month and it now looks like he could end up going in the late first or early second round of the 2021 draft.

While he was a great value in the third or even fourth-round where he was originally projected, it would be a stretch and a likely mistake if the Browns drafted Cox in the first round. Cox may very well have a tremendous NFL career, but many believe he needs a full year to adjust to the game speed after only playing one year at LSU, transferring from the FCS.

While Cox dominated in the Senior Bowl which catapulted his standings, he at times looked a step slow at LSU. It was as if he didn’t always understand his responsibility and was thinking more than just playing free.

That’s something that can certainly be fixed, but it will take some time and coaching. And unfortunately, if the Browns are going to take a linebacker in the first round, it needs to be a guy who will be a force from day one.

Many believe that Berry won’t take a linebacker in round one because analytics don’t value the position, but with how bad the linebacker play was in 2020, I wouldn’t be shocked for him to try and address it in the draft. A talented first-round player could be productive and still cheap towards the salary cap which would be the best of both worlds.

While I’m fine with a linebacker in round one, it just can’t be Cox. His upside is tremendous, but the Browns don’t have a year to wait while he picks up the rest of the game. Cleveland needs someone who is able to be on the field from day one.