CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last week I highlighted five linebackers that the Browns should aim for in the next draft. Fortunately, this piece served as an aperitif for the 2021 sponsor class. Next, in what I am labeling a “preparation sample” before the April draft, I will detail five defensive tips that fans should know about.
Like the linebacker, this position presents several intriguing perspectives whose promising length, athleticism and curriculum align exactly with what the Browns are looking for. Choosing 26th position, Cleveland has no chance against Michigan’s hitter Kwity Paye. He designs as a selection of the top 10.
However, after Paye, it is unclear how many pass rushers are chosen between him and the Browns’ choice. It may be none. Leaving Cleveland a satisfying tray of options. Or maybe two or three ends are gone, leaving the Browns reaching or looking elsewhere.
With so many unknown things revolving around the 2021 draft, I doubt a consensus will emerge after Payne. That’s because there are many options. Let’s start there and then conclude with three later round options that the Browns could select to help Myles Garrett.
Gregory Rousseau, 6 ft 6, 260 pounds, sophomore, Miami – (First round choice, possible exchange)
Miami defensive striker Gregory Rousseau celebrates a comeback and uses the sales network on September 21, 2019, against Central Michigan in Miami Gardens, Florida.(Brynn Anderson, Associated Press)
When researching recruitment prospects for the NFL, I sometimes go through random Twitter chants dedicated to college football. I recently found this tweet. It really made me take a second and third look at Miami and Greg Rousseau.
With +1800, Rousseau had no chance of winning number 1 in the choices. He ended up opting out of the 2020 season, killing that bet. But that tweet came out in May, naming Rousseau the fourth best college football player. That’s impressive.
That’s why I included the suggestion that the Browns may have to switch to him. If he has not yet been considered one of the top 20, I am confident that he will be soon. At 1.80 meters and 120 kilos, someone his size usually lives on basketball courts. His athletics also matches.
He can tear the attacker or use his speed to get around them. His 16 bags in 2019 as a redshirt freshman prove it. He attacked guards and swallowed defenders, proving to be more deadly against internal attackers.
Carlos Basham Jr., 1.80 m, 285 pounds, senior, Wake First (First round choice, possible exchange)
Like Rousseau, striker Carlos Basham Jr. of Wake Forest may also be one of the top 20 options. As the day of the draft approaches, I would not be surprised if Rousseau and Basham were selected before No. 26. That is, if GM Andrew Berry and his scouts fell heavily on one of these two ends, the Browns should seriously consider negotiate to guarantee them.
Cleveland has nine choices in the 2021 draft, including extra selections for the third and fourth rounds. If Berry believes, the Browns have enough ammunition to skip several points. From what I’m reading and listening to, Basham seems to be worth it.
Weighing nearly 300, Basham moves like a tip carrying 40 pounds less. There are some reports that it may have been a little too heavy this season. He didn’t look as explosive as he did in 2019. But a professional team will identify his ideal playing weight.
He also doesn’t play as hard as someone his size should. Because he can shake like a much lighter player, sometimes he competes that way too. Although this sounds negative, I foresee an NFL team highlighting its strengths and requiring it to focus on them instead of “looking cute”, as a report said.
It is more proven against tackles than Rousseau and equally effective on the inside, as shown below.
Jordan Smith, 6 feet 6, 255 pounds, junior, UAB – (Day 2 selection)
American team linebacker Jordan Smith of UAB (22) runs for National Team quarterback Ian Book of Notre Dame (12) in the second half of Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Mike Kittrell / AL.com)
Jordan Smith made some detours before finally playing college basketball in 2019. His results were dominant. With his long arms and fast hands, Smith earned a PFF defensive 93. More than 21 games played in two seasons, he totaled 89 tackles, 23.5 of them for a defeat, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Its combination of size and speed makes it an interesting professional candidate. 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 teenager who may be more inclined towards an outside defender because he hasn’t gained much weight in the past two seasons.
However, if a front office thinks it can extend the 23-year project, then it can grow to become a traditional defensive side and a compliment to Garrett. Check out the representative below at the Senior Bowl. He’s playing on the right defensive side. Its disturbing style and blinding length are both on display.
Patrick Jones, 6 feet 5, 264 pounds, senior, Pittsburgh – (3rd or 4th round choice)
Next, a pair of talented Pittsburgh defenders ends. First, veteran Patrick Jones. There are many favorable comments about Jones and the game’s tape shows a firm and aggressive defender. In 22 games, he accumulated 24 loss tackles and 17.5 sacks. Again, he is consistent.
Pro Football Focus rated him with 77 overall against the pass. Physically, its average length is not impressive, but its production should make up for it. He has the opportunity to contribute immediately as a uniform front end, which is exactly what the Browns need.
One of the fun parts of researching a movie about these perspectives is finding things you don’t expect. It happened to me after watching the clip below. Jones is facing a Division III prospect. Considering that I played college football against Wisconsin Whitewater, I thought this clip would be a good highlight for Jones. Wow, I was wrong.
It is ridiculous to judge a player by a representative, but this is a very impressive effort by Quinn Meinerz against a Power 5 stud.
Rashad Weaver, 6 feet, 4,265 pounds, senior, Pittsburgh – (Choice of 3rd or 4th round)
Rashad Weaver, on the other hand, has not yet had a losing representative. From the same Jones exercise, Weaver masters this heads-up using a beautiful double movement. He prepares the opponent’s tackle with an external speed run for power, which forces the tackle to punch.
Once Weaver notices an overextension, he explores it by leaning heavily on the equipment’s outer shoulder and turning inside to pick up a bag. Dwight Freeney fans, rejoice.
There’s a lot to like about Weaver. It is dense, but still has room to add volume. It lacks a little speed, but it makes up for it with its power attacks and combinations. He will be able to define an advantage and defend the race immediately.
Weaver is one of five names that caught my initial attention. There are a lot more edge rushers to search as we build towards the draft. At the end of this week, I will highlight five defensive defenders that the Browns should aim for. As soon as we work on the Browns’ positions of need, we will begin to study these perspectives more closely.
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