Over the next few weeks, as the 2021 NFL Draft gets closer and closer, we're spotlighting a different position group or draft storyline at ClevelandBrowns.com.
In our Road to the Draft series, we'll take a deep dive into the top prospects available at each position group. We're continuing with the linebackers, a group many analysts believe the Browns could tap into with their first-round pick.
Why the position matters for the Browns: The linebackers room is already full of young talent. Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips — all three of whom were drafted in the last two offseasons — represent the mold of players the Browns seek at the position: fast and sound at tackling. Cleveland added Anthony Walker, who recorded 92 tackles for the Indianapolis Colts last season, as a free agent and re-signed Malcolm Smith, a top veteran with the Browns in 2020. Elijah Lee and Montrel Meander round out the group, which could benefit from another young prospect with starting caliber — a trait that's prevalent with a few prospects in this class.
The top dog in this year's class: That label belongs to Micah Parsons, who opted out of the 2020 season at Penn State but recorded 192 tackles in his first two years. He's not only the top linebacker of the draft class, but also arguably one of the best players available. He could fall anywhere between picks No. 8-12 and could be out of reach for the Browns. The linebackers behind Parsons, however, are very much in play.
Rounding out the top five: We've seen mock drafts every week that predict the Browns to draft Notre Dame's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the 2020 Dick Butkus Award winner for the best linebacker in the nation. He's been heralded as the fastest linebacker of the class and displayed tremendous abilities in pass coverage against tight ends and slot receivers, a task the Browns frequently placed on their linebackers last season. Zaven Collins (Tulsa) is a likely first-round option, too, after winning the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Award, given by the Football Writers Association of America to the best defensive collegiate player. Jamin Davis (Kentucky) has risen up draft boards after a stunning pro day, while Nick Bolton (Missouri) projects as a quality linebacker potentially available in the second round.
How many first-rounders?: Four seems to be a safe bet. Parsons and Owusu-Koramoah appear to be locks to be Round 1 draftees, while Collins and Davis are favored to fall within the last few picks of Day 1. If Collins or Davis are still on the board for Round 2, expect them to be selected rather quickly.
A sleeper or two?: The Browns have selected three LSU prospects within the first three rounds of the last two drafts. Jabril Cox could be the fourth — he's a likely Round 2 pick, and he could fall to the Browns, who have a young LSU-built core on their defense already with Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit and Jacob Phillips. Cox recorded 58 tackles and three interceptions as the captain of the Tigers' defense last season. Baron Browning, who emerged as a starter with Ohio State last season, is also worth monitoring as a potential mid-round selection.
Quote to note: "You see explosive hits game after game after game. He's so twitched up and explosive. Get him detached in space, makes plays. He's 220 pounds and played a little bit lighter than that, so instead of taking on, he's going to try and dip and slip underneath blocks, which he does outstandingly." - NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah on Owusu-Koramoah
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Over the next few weeks, as the 2021 NFL Draft gets closer and closer, we're spotlighting a different position group each day at ClevelandBrowns.com.
Our Road to the Draft series will dive deep into the top players available at each position group. In this series, we'll be analyzing what the Browns have on hand and how that may affect the team's decision making with its nine selections.
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in coverage during an NCAA college football game against Buffalo, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in University Park, Pa. Penn State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Ohio State Pete Werner, left, works against Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah participates in Notre Dame's Pro Day workout on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah participates in Notre Dame's Pro Day workout on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins works out for scouts at NFL pro day Friday, April 2, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins works out for scouts at NFL pro day Friday, April 2, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner makes a catch during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
National Team offensive linebacker Baron Browning of Ohio State (55) battles American Team offensive lineman Carson Green of Texas A&M (55) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Missouri's Nick Bolton runs as he participates in the school's pro day football workout for NFL scouts Monday, March 22, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner runs a drill during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning makes a catch during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Former University of North Carolina linebacker Chazz Surratt completes a series of bench presses as other participants look on during the second day of the House of Athlete Scouting Combine, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Weston, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning runs the 40 yard dash during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forces a fumble by Alabama quarterback Mac Jones during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
National Team linebacker Baron Browning of Ohio State (55) runs past the block of offensive lineman James Hudson III of Cincinnati (55) during the National team practice for the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team linebacker Jabril Cox of LSU (19) during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team linebacker Jabril Cox of LSU (19) runs downfield during the second half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) rushes North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
FILE - Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Oct. 23, 2020, file photo. Collins was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) looks on against Alabama during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton (32) prepares to take the field before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. Missouri won 17-10. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah plays against Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boston. Owusa-Koramoah was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
LSU defensive back Jabril Cox (19) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
South Carolina running back Kevin Harris (20) is tackled by Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
LSU linebacker Jabril Cox (19) runs before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton (32) jogs off the field after an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. Missouri won 17-10. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (23) lines up during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Missouri tight end Niko Hea, right, catches a pass as Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis, left, defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
LSU defensive back Jabril Cox returns an interception against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins runs with an interception against South Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) is hit by Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the first half an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis (44) celebrates after sacking Louisville quarterback Evan Conley (6) during the second half of the NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game between LSU and Missouri Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates with his team following the 53-39 win over Memphis in an NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) laughs on the bench in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa. Parsons was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected who are not slated to play this fall. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Parsons was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
North Carolina's Chazz Surratt (21) reacts after a play during an NCAA college football game against Mercer in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in action against Purdue during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis (44) rushes UT Martin quarterback John Bachus III (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner plays against UNLV during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
