Cleveland Browns 4 biggest needs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft

3. Linebacker

Linebacker continues to be a position of disagreement amongst fans. Some (like myself), love the idea of drafting a linebacker in the first round. The Browns haven’t had an above-average linebacker since D’Qwell Jackson, and the team has just acquired a room full of mediocre guys.

Others (including Berry), don’t really value the position in the NFL. Stopping the run has become less and less important, and you just need an athlete who can cover and make a few tackles in space. It’s not that linebackers aren’t important, but it is the least valuable position on defense in their eyes.

Knowing that Berry puts a lower value on the position, I have this as the third need instead of the first.  Anthony Walker who was brought in this offseason will be a huge upgrade, but after that, there are a lot of question marks. Mack Wilson and Jacob Phillips are both coming off injuries, Sione Takitaki still hasn’t been great on the field, and Malcolm Smith’s best days are certainly behind him.

However, I do think Berry could go linebacker in a perfect scenario. He’s smart enough to realize how limited the team is at the position, and if the right guy is available, I think he could pull the trigger.

Micah Parsons is a long shot, he will likely go top-15 but is a no-brainer if he slides. The name that is much more attainable is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame. He could be available at No. 26 and has experience at safety and linebacker.

There is no doubt he is an NFL linebacker, but with strong coverage skills, Berry could break his rule and draft the talented linebacker. Some may hate it, but a linebacker may be exactly what this defense needs to completely jell.