5 defensive ends from the 2021 NFL Draft the Browns should target if the value is correct

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last week I highlighted five linebackers the Browns should target in the next draft. Hopefully this piece served as an appetizer for the 2021 backer class. In what I call a ‘boot sampler’ ahead of the April draft, I’ll detail five defensive ends that fans should learn. to know.

As a linebacker, this position presents several intriguing prospects whose promising length, athleticism and CV are exactly what the Browns are looking for. Picking at No.26, Cleveland doesn’t stand a chance against Michigan edge rusher Kwity Payne. It projects as a selection of the top 10.

However, after Payne, it’s unclear how many passers are chosen between him and the Browns’ pick. It could be none. Leaving Cleveland with a satisfying array of options. Or maybe two or three ends go, leaving the Browns to reach or look away.

With so many unknowns swirling around the 2021 project, I doubt a consensus will emerge after Payne. This is because there are a lot of options. Let’s start there and then conclude with three later options the Browns could choose to help Myles Garrett.

Gregory Rousseau, 6ft 6in, 260lb, sophomore, Miami – (Choice of 1st round, exchange possible)

While researching NFL draft prospects, I sometimes scroll through random corners of Twitter dedicated to college football. Recently I found this tweet. It really made me take a second and third look at Miami winger Greg Rousseau.

At +1800, Rousseau failed to gain the top pick buzz. He ultimately chose not to participate in the 2020 season, killing that bet. But that tweet came out in May, naming Rousseau as the fourth best college football player. It’s impressive.

That’s why I included the suggestion that maybe the Browns should trade for him. If it’s not yet rated as one of the top 20 picks, I’m sure it will be soon. At 6 feet 6 inches and 260 pounds, a person his height typically resides on basketball courts. His athleticism also matches.

He can tear apart the offensive lineman or use his speed to wrap himself around them. His 16 sacks in 2019 as a rookie in a red shirt prove it. He kicked the guards and swallowed the quarters, proving himself more deadly against the inside linemen.

Carlos Basham Jr., 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, senior, Wake First (Choice of 1st round, exchange possible)

Like Rousseau, Wake Forest point guard Carlos Basham Jr. could also be in the top 20 picks. As the draft draws near, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rousseau and Basham were both selected before No.26. That means if GM Andrew Berry and his scouts fell heavily about either of those two ends , the Browns should seriously consider negotiating to get them.

Cleveland has nine picks in the 2021 draft, including additional third and fourth round picks. If Berry judges it, the Browns have enough ammo to jump multiple locations. From what I read and hear, Basham is worth it.

Weighing in at nearly 300, Basham moves like an end carrying 40 pounds lighter. According to some reports, he has been slightly too heavy this season. He didn’t look as explosive as himself in 2019. But a pro team will identify his ideal playing weight.

He also doesn’t play with as much power as someone his size should. Because he can shake like a much lighter player, he also competes that way sometimes. While that sounds negative, I do anticipate an NFL staff highlighting his pass-rushing strengths and demanding that he focus on them rather than “getting cute” as one report read.

He’s more proven against tackles than Rousseau and just as effective on the inside, as shown below.

Jordan Smith, 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, junior, UAB – (Selection of day 2)

Jordan Smith took a few detours before finally playing college ball in 2019. His results were dominant. Relying on his long arms and quick hands, Smith got a defensive rating of 93 from PFF. In 21 games played in two seasons, he totaled 89 tackles, including 23.5 for loss, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

His mix of size and speed makes him an interesting professional prospect. If he projects himself better as an outside linebacker in a traditional 3-4 defense, the Browns won’t select him. His height makes him a tweener who perhaps leans more towards outside support because he hasn’t gained much weight in the past two seasons.

However, if a front office thinks they can bolster the 23-year-old draft, then they could turn into a traditional defensive team and a compliment to Garrett. Check out this rep below at the Senior Bowl. He plays the good defensive side. Both her disruptive style and blinding length are on display.

Patrick Jones, 6-foot-5, 264 pounds, senior, Pittsburgh – (3rd or 4th round choice)

Then a pair of talented defensive ends from Pittsburgh. First, senior Patrick Jones. There is a lot of favorable writing about Jones and his playing strip shows a consistent and smart defender. In 22 games, he had 24 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. Again, it is consistent.

Pro Football Focus gave him a score of 77 against the pass. Physically, her average length doesn’t impress but her production should make up for that. He’s got the opportunity to contribute right away as a front-end, which is exactly what the Browns need.

One of the fun things about finding movies about these prospects is finding things that you don’t expect. This is what happened to me after watching the clip below. Jones is lined up against a Division III prospect. Considering I played college football against Wisconsin Whitewater, I thought this clip would make a good Jones highlight. Wow, was I wrong.

It’s ridiculous to judge a player on a rep, but it’s a very impressive effort from Quinn Meinerz against a Power 5 stud.

Rashad Weaver, 6ft, 4,265 lbs, senior, Pittsburgh – (Choice of 3rd or 4th round)

Rashad Weaver, on the other hand, has yet to see a losing rep. Of the same exercise as Jones, Weaver dominates this face to face using a nice double movement. He sets up the opposing tackle with an outward rush of speed to power, which forces the tackle to strike.

Once Weaver notices an overextension, he exploits it by leaning heavily on the tackle’s outside shoulder and turning inside for a sack. Dwight Freeney fans rejoice.

There are a lot of things to love about Weaver. It’s dense but still has room to add bulk. He lacks speed but compensates with his strengths and combinations. He will be able to create an advantage and defend the race right away.

Weaver is one of the five names that caught my eye early on. There are a lot more rushers to look for as we get closer to the project. Later this week, I’ll highlight five defensive backs the Browns should aim for. Once we have worked on the Browns’ need positions, we will begin to study these perspectives more closely.

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