3 mistakes Browns made in NFL Draft this year

1. Reaching on safety Richard LeCounte

NFL Draft coverage usually features analysts raving about every single pick. Richard LeCounte was one player who actually created some discussion on ESPN’s broadcast.

LeCounte was taken in the fifth round by the Browns after missing the latter half of the 2020 season following a brutal motorcycle accident. That caused his 40-yard dash time to plummet to around 4.8 and thus, so did his draft stock.

When healthy, the safety was a regular starter in the Georgia secondary. That alone proves a lot about his abilities. But the fact he slid so far likely means the Browns could have waited or even taken another, healthier safety. LeCounte could have gone undrafted with his lingering health concerns.

The Browns are getting a healthy Grant Delpit in 2021 so safety is not a top need. However, fans have a right to question why the team took several players coming off injury-riddled 2020 seasons. LeCounte losing his speed may mean he is just never able to keep up with NFL talent.

This is a new era for the Browns and the roster did not necessarily need upgrades through the draft. But injuries occur and youth is always a bonus in the NFL. Hopefully for fans, these mistakes end up simply being overreactions.