Cleveland Browns: Which rookie will have the biggest impact in 2021?

Which Cleveland Browns rookie will make the biggest impact in 2021?

The initial 53-man roster is set with every single rookie from the 2021 class making the roster, so which one will have the biggest impact for the Cleveland Browns this season?

General manager Andrew Berry continued to impress with all the rookies he drafted back in April. In fact, each of his first two draft classes since returning to the Browns last year are all on the initial 53-man roster. Each rookie from the 2021 class will contribute in some way, shape, or form this season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski and his coaching staff get the pleasure of figuring out where each of those rookies fit into the puzzle. Stefanski loves guys who come to compete and are able to do multiple things on the field. With this class, he has some amazing pieces to utilize on both sides of the ball in various ways.

Greg Newsome (first-round pick) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (second-round pick) both have put themselves in a position to start for the Browns on September 12 in Arrowhead Stadium against the Chiefs. Richard LeCounte III played extremely well in the preseason and will have the chance to play a good amount this year.

Offensive lineman James Hudson III (fourth-round pick), defensive lineman Tommy Togiai (fourth-round pick), wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (third-round pick), and linebacker Tony Fields (fifth-round pick) will factor in this season, despite the latter two battling injuries in training camp.

For this Browns roster, there is one rookie who will have the biggest impact and that is sixth-round pick, running back Demetric Felton.

Not only does Felton play running back, but he will also be utilized as a receiver and as Stefanski said earlier this week, Felton will be the punt and kick returner.

When it comes to being a running back, Felton is going to have a similar role to Kareem Hunt. Felton will be able to tote the rock at 5-foot-9 and 189 pounds, and will also be able to catch passes out of the backfield. And if he gets the ball in open space off those catches, lookout.

In 12 rushing attempts, Felton ran for 40 yards in the three preseason games.

As a receiver, he gets to learn under the learning tree of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Along with those receivers, Felton will get to work with Chad O’Shea, who is the Browns wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.

From 2009 to 2018, O’Shea was with the Patriots where he worked the with likes of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman, so Felton will learn a ton about how to maneuver out of the slot.

Felton is just another weapon in the arsenal of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who looked laser-focused in his lone two series of the preseason. Speaking of the preseason, Felton caught five passes for 56 yards.

Mayfield said he was impressed by Felton’s versatility and called him a “key part of our offense.”

Where Felton might excel the most is on special teams as a returner. He returned two kicks in the preseason for 47 yards and five punts for 36 yards. He had a 37-yard kickoff return against the Falcons last Sunday night, showing dazzling moves that should have the Dawg Pound excited.

Berry has done it again when it comes to late-round draft steals. Last year it was wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones and this year is Felton, both drafted in the sixth round.

The Browns are primed for a big season, even bigger than last, and Felton will play a huge hand in this team’s success in 2021.