2021 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Pick LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at No. 52

The Cleveland Browns moved up from No. 59 to No. 52! With the 52nd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6-1, 221 lbs) from Notre Dame.

Here were the trade details:

Scouting Reports

When the Dawgs By Nature community compiled our 2021 Browns Big Board, Owusu-Koramoah was listed as the No. 12 overall player, and at the time of the pick, he was the top player remaining. Here is a scouting report from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who had Owusu-Koramoah as his 2nd-ranked linebacker on his board, a projected first round pick, and the No. 15th player overall in the entire draft:

A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Owusu-Koramoah was a natural fit at the rover position in former defensive coordinator Clark Lea’s scheme, playing a hybrid role that asked him to be a linebacker and nickel defender. The coaches put a lot on his plate and he responded by filling the stat sheet, taking home the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020. A versatile performer, Owusu-Koramoah has remarkable speed and closing burst to blitz, mirror and cover, carrying tight ends or wide receivers across the field. He creates explosive force as a tackler but needs continued work with his finishing skills and play recognition. Overall, Owusu-Koramoah will have his share of undisciplined plays, but his one-step explosion, playmaking range and intelligence give his coaches flexibility to deploy him at linebacker, safety or nickel. He projects as a high-ceiling, chess-piece defender.

How He Fits the Browns

Awesome! As rufio pointed out, “in college he played essentially a slot cornerback position where he had to play like a corner at times, a safety at others, a linebacker at others, and a DE at other times.” He is a very versatile defender, and Cleveland was (forgive the bluntness) terrible at the linebacker position last year. They had some above average efforts from guys like B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith, but make no mistake about it, the team did not have a strength or difference maker at the position. I am stoked, because it feels like Cleveland scored another first-round pick here.

React Now

What do you think, Browns fans?