CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last week, I highlighted five linebackers that the Browns should target in the upcoming draft. Hopefully, that piece served as an appetizer for the 2021 backer class. Now, in what I call a “priming sampler,” ahead of April’s release, I’ll outline five defensive goals that fans should get to know.
Like linebacker, this position offers several intriguing prospects whose promising length, athleticism, and resume are exactly what the Browns are looking for. Picking at number 26, Cleveland has no chance of Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye. It projects as a top 10 selection.
After Paye, however, it is unclear how many pass rushers will be chosen between him and the choice of the Browns. It can’t be one. Cleveland leave a satisfying array of options. Or maybe two or three ends go away, forcing the Browns to reach or search elsewhere.
With so many unknown swirls surrounding the 2021 design, I doubt a consensus will emerge after Payne. That’s because there are plenty of options. Let’s start there and then end with three options the Browns could later choose to help Myles Garrett.
Gregory Rousseau, 6 feet 6, 260 pounds, sophomore, Miami – (1st round choice, possible trade-in)
Miami defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau celebrates a turnover and carries the turnover chain against Central Michigan in Miami Gardens, Florida on September 21, 2019.(Brynn Anderson, Associated Press)
While researching NFL draft prospects, I sometimes scroll to random corners of Twitter devoted to college football. I recently found this tweet. It really made me take a second and third look at Greg Rousseau and Miami.
At +1800, Rousseau had no chance of achieving No. 1 pick buzz. He eventually decided to step out of the 2020 season and quash that bet. But that tweet went out in May, naming Rousseau the fourth best college footballer. That is impressive.
That’s why I’ve included the suggestion that maybe the Browns should trade for him. If he’s not considered a top 20 pick just yet, I’m sure he will be soon. Weighing in at 1.86 feet and 260 pounds, someone his height usually lives on basketball courts. His athletic ability also matches.
He can tear under attacking lineman or use his speed to wrap around it. His 16 bags in 2019 as a freshman with red shirts prove that. He yoked out guards and swallowed quarterbacks, proving him more deadly against inner linemen.
Carlos Basham Jr., 1.85 feet tall, 285 pounds, senior, Wake First (1st round choice, possible trade-in)
Like Rousseau, Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest’s edge rusher, could also be a top 20 pick. As the day of the trek approaches, I wouldn’t be surprised if both Rousseau and Basham are selected for No. 26. This means that if GM Andrew Berry and his scouts were to fall strongly around either end, the Browns would have to be serious. consider exchanging them to secure them.
Cleveland has nine choices in the 2021 draft, including additional selections in the third and fourth rounds. If Berry means it, the Browns have enough ammo to jump in different places. From what I read and hear, Basham sounds worthwhile.
Weighing in at nearly 300, Basham moves like an end that carries 40 pounds less. There are some reports that he may have been a little overweight this season. He didn’t look as explosive as his self from 2019. But a pro team will determine his ideal playing weight.
He also doesn’t play with as much force as someone his height should. Since he can shuffle like a much lighter player, he sometimes competes like that too. While that sounds negative, I expect an NFL staff to highlight his pass-rush strengths and demand that he focus on them rather than “ getting cute, ” as one report goes.
He is more proven against tackles than Rousseau and just as effective on the inside as shown below.
Jordan Smith, 6 feet 6, 255 pounds, junior, UAB – (Selection day 2)
U.S. team linebacker Jordan Smith of UAB (22) rushes the national team’s quarterback Ian Book of Notre Dame (12) into the second half of Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell / AL.com)
Jordan Smith took a few detours before finally playing college ball in 2019. His results were dominant. Relying on his long arms and quick hands, Smith earned a 93 defensive mark from PFF. More than 21 games played in two seasons totaled 89 tackles, including 23.5 lost, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
His mix of size and speed make him an interesting pro prospect. If he projects better as an outside linebacker in a traditional 3-4 defense, the Browns will not select him. His size makes him a tweener who may lean more towards the outside world because he hasn’t gained much weight in the past two seasons.
However, if a front office thinks they can increase the 23-year-old project, then he can grow into a traditional defensive target and compliment Garrett. Check out this representative at the Senior Bowl below. He’s playing the right defensive ending. His disruptive style and blinding height are both on display.
Patrick Jones, 6 feet 5, 264 pounds, senior, Pittsburgh – (3rd or 4th round pick)
Next, a pair of talented Pittsburgh defenders ends. First, Senior Patrick Jones. There are many favorable comments on Jones and his gametape shows a steady rusher and savvy defender. In 22 games, he scored 24 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. Again, it is consistent.
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall score of 77 against the pass. Physically his average height doesn’t impress, but his production should make up for it. It has the chance to contribute right away as an even front end, which is exactly what the Browns need.
One of the nice things about looking for film about these potential clients is finding things you don’t expect. That’s what happened to me after watching the clip below. Jones is lined up against a Division III prospect. Since I was playing college football against Wisconsin Whitewater, I thought this clip would be a nice Jones highlight. Wow, was I wrong.
It’s ridiculous to judge a player by one rep, but that’s a very impressive attempt by Quinn Meinerz against a Power 5 stud.
Rashad Weaver, 6 feet, 4265 pounds, senior, Pittsburgh – (3rd or 4th round choice)
Rashad Weaver, on the other hand, hasn’t had a losing rep yet. Using the same exercise as Jones, Weaver dominates this one-on-one with a nice double move. He sets up the opponent’s tackle with an external speed-to-power rush, which forces the tackle to hit.
As soon as Weaver notices an overload, he takes advantage of it by leaning heavily on the tackle’s outer shoulder and turning inward for a bag. Fans of Dwight Freeney, rejoice.
There is a lot of fun about Weaver. It’s compact but still has room to add bulk. He lacks some speed, but makes up for it with his power rushes and combinations. He will be able to put a lead and immediately defend the flight.
Weaver is one of five names that caught my early attention. There are many more edge rushers to investigate as we built to the depth. Later this week, I’ll be highlighting five defensive backs that the Browns should aim for. Once we’ve gone through the Browns’ emergency positions, we’re going to study these outlook more closely.
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