Cleveland Browns: 3 defensive rookies with breakout potential
By Kyle Edmond
3 defensive rookies for the Cleveland Browns with breakout potential
The 2021 season was a breakout season of sorts for the Cleveland Browns. The franchise reached the playoffs for just the second time since the team returned in 1999 and captured their first playoff victory since the 1994 season. The 11-5 record for Cleveland marked the most wins since 1994 as well and just the third winning season since 1999. Now, the Browns are adding more playmakers to the roster.
The 2021 NFL Draft brought about a new approach for the Cleveland Browns. The team was picking much lower than what has become the norm over the past two decades. On top of that, the team didn’t have a clear, glaring need to address like in the past. Instead, they were able to take the best fit available. That approach could very well spin into one of the more productive classes in the league this coming season.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Browns made eight selections. Of those eight, five will line up on the defensive side of the ball. Cleveland took two linebackers, a cornerback, a safety and a defensive tackle. There’s a chance that all of them will have strong impact during the upcoming season.
While the 2020 season showed promise and improvement for Cleveland, the defensive side of the ball has some gaps that proved to be a bit of a problem time and time again throughout the season. Now, these rookies will be looked to to fill those gaps.
They won’t be alone in the effort as the Browns added a few free agents to the mix as well. However, these three rookies will play a large role in the improvement of the Cleveland Browns defense. Not only will they be expected to play well this season, but for the foreseeable future in the Orange and Brown.