Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a versatile linebacker who can do many things. But the thing he likes to do most is tackle. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
If the Browns couldn’t get cornerback Greg Newsome with the No. 26 pick on Thursday night, they were considering Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as an alternative.
On Friday night, they traded up seven spots in the second round and rescued Owusu-Koramoah’s draft fall with the 52nd overall pick. He was projected as high as the middle of the first round by several draft services.
Paul DePodesta, Browns chief strategy officer, indicated it showed the Browns are willing to shatter stereotypes about themselves. The book on the Browns’ analytics team was it didn’t favor trading up and didn’t value the linebacker position.
“You may think we’re not a team that moves up; well, we just moved up,” DePodesta said.
On devaluing linebackers, DePodesta smiled and said, “We just traded up in the second round to get one, and we signed [Anthony Walker] in free agency. I don’t think any of these rules are hard and fast. I don’t think there’s any position we don’t value. We value them all.”
Owusu-Koramoah, 6-1 ½ and 221 pounds, was heralded as a hybrid linebacker who could play safety or nickel back in situations. That jack-of-all-trades label might have precipitated his fall out of the first round.
“He just fits our scheme perfectly,” DePodesta said, citing JOK’s speed and instincts. “We think he can stay on the field all the time.
“I can tell you this, right before I came downstairs, [linebackers coach] Jason Tarver and [defensive coordinator] Joe Woods and [head coach] Kevin Stefanski were already on the white board [drawing up] things to do with him.”
Owusu-Koramoah is the eighth new defensive player added, including six free agents. He joins Walker as newcomers in the linebacker room.
“I think with each of our linebackers, we’re looking for similar traits,” DePodesta said. “We want guys very rangy, guys who can stay on the field v. the run and pass, guys who can cover but also can play downhill.”
Owusu-Koramoah earned the Butkus Award for college football’s top linebacker last season, was ACC defensive player of the year, and made first team All-America. In two years as a starter, he led the Irish with 142 tackles and 24.5 tackles for loss.
With all his versatility on the field, he was asked what he likes doing most.
“Tackling is what makes the money, what gets the defense off the field,” Owusu-Koramoah said. “Tackling is something I love to do. Whether a hard hit, a wrap and roll hit, a technical hit. That’s what the game’s about. That’s what I’m here for.”