The Browns traded for Patriots DE Chase Winovich, a three-year veteran, sending LB Mack Wilson to New England in the deal.
Here's five things to know about Cleveland's newest edge rusher:
1. Winovich was a third-round pick by New England in 2019 and didn't take long to showcase his talents on defense — he recorded 5.5 sacks his rookie season and made four of them in three of his first five games. He matched that total in his second season, giving him 11 career sacks, and has collected 85 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 23 quarterback hits.
2. Winovich is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, a frame that has offered him plenty of versatility over his football career. He played linebacker and quarterback at Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, his hometown, and also occasionally played as a safety and return specialist. Winovich committed to Michigan, where he started as a linebacker, moved to tight end his sophomore season and then switched to defensive end. He's primarily played as an edge rusher in the NFL.
3. Winovich's college production ascended when he switched to defensive end. He led the Big Ten with 17 tackles for a loss in 2017, third with eight sacks that season and earned second team All-Big Ten honors. He was voted first team All-Big Ten in 2018 after collecting five sacks and 17 tackles for a loss.
4. Winovich was tabbed as one of the most interesting players of his draft class for, well, a multitude of reasons. He ate a live fish for $20 when he was a kid. He dated Madonna’s daughter. He once befriended famous UFC fighter Conor McGregor in the back of a car in Manhattan. He also dyed his long blonde hair orange for the 2018 Outback Bowl for a fundraiser to the ChadTough Foundation, which helps raise awareness and fund research for pediatric brain tumors.
5. One other thing about his hair: It's no longer long.
