4 under the radar Cleveland Browns 2021 NFL draft targets

The Cleveland Browns could look at some names not being talked about as much as other prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft 

Every year, the NFL Draft fulfills the lifelong dreams of kids from all over by having them hear their names called by the commissioner. Along with that, each year is filled with teams drafting players that a lot of fans have never even heard of. The Cleveland Browns could do just that this weekend, as they look to bolster their roster and build on their already strong offseason, and will look to any player that can help them build on their successful 2020 season.

The Browns have had a strong offseason, with general manager Andrew Berry focusing heavily on improving a defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in most defensive categories. Berry and his front office sought to improve the defensive backfield, and brought in safety John Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill, both having played for defensive coordinator Joe Woods when he was on the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff. The addition of edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley also should provide help to the defense in need of talent and depth at all levels.

While the Browns are an improved team from the end of the 2020 season to now, there are still improvements needed in several areas. With the 2021 NFL Draft being this weekend, we will finally get answers as to who some of those players that will hopefully provide some of that help will be.

While there are sure to be at least one or two names that most everybody knows being selected by the Cleveland Browns, there are also bound to be a few players that aren’t being talked about or as well known that get their name called on the stage in Cleveland, and stay in Cleveland. Here are five players that aren’t being talked about that could be donning a Browns hat when their name is called this weekend.

4. Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech

Milton Williams is listed as a defensive tackle, but has all the tools you want from a player to play both inside and outside in different situations. Listed at six-foot-three and 284 pounds, he has the length and power you look for from a defensive lineman to impact the offense on both passing and rushing plays.

Williams was a very active player for the Bulldogs over the last two seasons, where he finished with 10 sacks and 104 tackles, 19 of those being for loss. He has experience playing at several positions on the defensive line over the course of his college career, and while it would be smart to give him one role early on in his NFL career, he could become a guy that rotates and plays several positions on the line, dependent on the situation.

While the Cleveland Browns already have several guys on the defensive line who can play both inside and outside, including Jadeveon Clowney, Takk McKinnley, and Myles Garrett when necessary, it’s never a bad thing to look to the future and find a guy that could develop into a really good player someday.

Williams has shown that he is a tireless attacker in pass-rushing situations, and is an excellent run defender as well, using his length to get off blocks and uses an explosive step to fill the gap on the interior.

Should the Browns take Williams this weekend, he would be an excellent addition to an already talented defensive line rotation and could be one of the faces that bolsters that unit alongside Garrett when the others have moved on.