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What 2021 NFL draft means for Cleveland Browns linebackers

By Greg Newland

Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Mack Wilson (51) runs onto the field before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Mack Wilson (51) runs onto the field before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Tony Fields II (1) celebrates with linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo (7) after a defensive stop during the third quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

The freak specimen known as JOK is perhaps the biggest prize of the draft. Not that Greg Newsome II, the first-round pick, isn’t great but the value of getting JOK at No. 52 is just fantastic. The bottom line, Cleveland didn’t trade up in the second round to take a guy they didn’t think could contribute right away.

The Browns linebackers in 2020 were horrific against the pass, and JOK can clean that up immediately. Not only has he shown the toughness to play against the run, but he also has the speed and athleticism to run side to side which is such a welcomed sight for Browns fans.

Expect JOK to see a ton of snaps in 2021. Most of his snaps will come as the second linebacker, but at times in third and medium to short, he will fit in nicely as the hybrid safety/linebacker who can cover running backs and tight ends with ease. JOK could be a rookie Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Tony Fields

Tony Fields from West Virginia is another guy that fits the Joe Woods scheme perfectly. While Fields is slightly undersized, he was a tackling machine in college and has a nose for the football. What he lacks in size he more than makes up for in athleticism and is tremendous in coverage.

Truthfully, Fields is just a slightly lesser version of JOK and will be a great developmental player. I don’t expect to see him on a ton of defensive snaps in 2021 but look for his speed to be a major asset on special teams.

Fields will be a backup option next season, but with more time developing, he could be a long-term starter in no time for the Browns.

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