Writer calls Richard LeCounte Cleveland Browns worst draft pick in 2021

Richard LeCounte III was taken at No. 169 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft but one NFL Spin Zone writer claims that’s one that the Cleveland Browns got wrong

There aren’t many people who didn’t love the work the Cleveland Browns did this offseason. In both free agency and the draft, they added talent all over the field and their once disastous defense actually appears formidable now.

This doesn’t mean, however, that every move went without questions. There still were some moves made that were critiqued ‚— but the good news is, it wasn’t any of their major moves. For instance, in the draft, you had to go to the late rounds to find selections where fans had issues.

One such pick appears to be Georgia safety Richard LeCounte — who was tabbed as the Browns worst pick recently by one writer.

Jarrett Bailey of NFL Spin Zone identified the worst selection for every team in the 2021 NFL Draft and LeCounte was given the distinction for Cleveland. His main contention is that they could have used help elsewhere.

"“The Browns already have three really good safeties that will round out their rotation in Ronnie Harrison, John Johnson and Grant Delpit. They could have gotten more value by going with a different position (taking another receiver here wouldn’t have been a bad idea). Aside from that, there wasn’t much to complain about in terms of the Browns’ draft.” — Bailey, NFL Spin Zone"

Again, the best part about this for the Browns is that we are splitting hairs over a pick in the fifth round. That means the selections that truly matter have really been universally loved, which is understandable.

Round 1, they landed Greg Newsome who seems to be a day one starter at cornerback. Then in Round 2, there was Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah — who had no business being in that round. The third saw them take Anthony Schwartz and while he could have been called a reach, his 4.26 speed is something that teams to reach for — and it will be a welcome addition to the club.

From there, they landed James Hudson who has starting potential at offensive tackle and Tommy Togiai who was a stud defensive tackle at Ohio State.

LeCounte was then sandwiched by Tony Fields II, a linebacker from West Virginia who fits this defense like a glove, and Demetric Felton who could be a slot receiver and return man.

When you really look at the players added, the Browns did a phenomenal job in the draft. So even if LeCounte is their “worst pick,” they still have nothing to be upset about.