We can read all of the draft magazines and in-depth breakdowns we want, and while some are truly fantastic (looking at yours, Dane Brugler), we still won't know a whole lot about the Browns' newest draft class until they take the field in Berea.
In order to pass the time, why not read another breakdown?
I had a chance to watch some cut-ups of Cleveland's draft class this week and took some brief notes. We'll roll these out with one or two per day this week. Next up, BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki.
THE BIO:
Name: Sione Takitaki
Position: Linebacker
Age: 23
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 238 lbs
Hometown: Fontana, California
College: BYU
Round selected: Third (80th overall)
View photos of BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki, whom the Browns selected with the 80th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
BYU defensive lineman Sione Takitaki poses for photographs during team photo day Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, in Provo, Utah. Takitaki hasn't played in a game since October 2015 due to off-field issues, but the junior is back with the Cougars and eager to make up for lost time. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Western Michigan quarterback Kaleb Eleby, right, tries to break free of BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) in the second half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl an NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. BYU won 49-18. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Utah running back Zack Moss (2) carries the ball as BYU defensive lineman Sione Takitaki (16) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Provo, Utah. Backup quarterback Troy Williams doesn't have the same running ability so the Utes needed the backs to get going. That happened last week when sophomore Moss had a career day with 141 yards on 20 carries. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Brigham Young linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) looks to make a tackle attempt on Boise State running back Alexander Mattison (22) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 21-16 over BYU.(AP Photo/Steve Conner)
BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona tight end Bryce Wolma (81) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
THE TAPE: Browns assistant general manager Eliot Wolf was not wrong when he said Takitaki plays with violence. He's a wrecking ball all over the field, making for a tough block for opponents, as he arrives with downhill speed nearly every time. One play in particular stood out to me in a game against Wisconsin: Takitaki closed off the edge, blew up a fullback at the knee and made the tackle behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. He has excellent instincts and plays at only one speed: fast.
Actually, this is the better quote from Wolf: "I start watching the film and I think it was the Wisconsin game, the second game of the year, and this guy is just out there destroying people," he said last week of Takitaki.
"Yeah, I feel like that's the only way to go out there and play," Takitaki said Friday. "I feel like I'm a physical player, I can run sideline to sideline. I'm happy to come and be in Cleveland and happy to contribute to this team."
THE FIELD: It's difficult to judge a defender in a non-padded session, but Takitaki played with the same range you saw on tape. He'll be tough to catch entirely out of position because of that range. What was missing were his high-speed collisions, because again, it was unpadded. We'll get a much better feel for how he plays at the NFL level once the shells come out, where I expect him to shine.
THE FIT: Thanks to his athleticism, versatility and range, Takitaki should fit well in Steve Wilks' defense, which uses interchangeable linebackers. We might have only seen the very beginning of what Takitaki could do, too, because he only played linebacker in college for one season (he also played the position in high school). More experience at the position at an even higher level, with his level of intensity, should produce even better results.
