Fansided

3 sleepers Browns drafted who could become stars

By Russell S. Baxter

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 21: Tommy Togiai #72 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures the quarterback against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 21: Tommy Togiai #72 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures the quarterback against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 01: Defensive back Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up before the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 01: Defensive back Richard LeCounte #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up before the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

The club is coming off its best showing since re-entering the NFL as an expansion team in 1999. Which of the Browns’ 2021 draft choices could surprise?

A franchise that struggled for more than two decades finally came into its own in 2020. The Cleveland Browns ended a long string of utility when it came to reaching the postseason and even a longer skid in regards to winning a postseason game. Now thanks to a bevy of defensive additions in free agency, things are looking up for a club loaded on offense and led by the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year.

There are some more goals for Kevin Stefanski’s team to eye. The Browns haven’t captured a division title since owning the top spot in the old AFC Central way back in 1989. And of course, this is one of the four team to never make an appearance on Super Sunday – the team’s last league championship coming in 1964.

General manager Andre Berry added plenty of veterans this offseason along with eight more prospects in this year’s draft. But which three of those young performers could prove to be sneaky good on a very loaded roster (via Ourlads)?

3. DB Richard LeCounte (Georgia)

The Browns have one of the most talented attacks in the league and averaged 25.5 points per game this past season. But the club also allowed more points than it scored. The biggest issue was stopping the pass as Cleveland finished 22nd in the league in aerial yards allowed and surrendered 31 TD passes.

This offseason, the Browns added safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill from the Rams in free agency. They also used a first-round selection in April on Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II and in the fifth round opted for Richard LeCounte.

In his final two seasons with the Bulldogs, there were 17 games, there were 11 takeaways (7 interceptions) as well as seven passes defensed. Now he brings his ball-hawking skills to Joe Woods’ defensive unit.

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