Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Cleveland Browns from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Award, the versatile Tulsa defender (6-4, 260) can rush the passer or drop in coverage. Collins had four sacks and four interceptions, two of which were returned for scores, in eight games this past season.
Takkarist McKinley isn't the Browns' badly coveted impact pass-rusher opposite Myles Garrett -- he has totaled just 4.5 sacks in 18 games over the past two years. Rousseau opted out in 2020 but posted 15.5 sacks in 2019 with the Hurricanes -- second in the nation to Chase Young. He needs some polish to his game, but he has a quick first step and the versatility to kick inside at times. He fits a need and comes with good value here at No. 26.
Linebacker remains a weak spot for an otherwise strong defense, which added safety John Johnson III in free agency to help solidify a leaky secondary. Collins has the size, length and athleticism to make his presence felt inside, outside and in coverage and could provide some pass-rushing help as a blitzer.
The Browns signed one of the top safeties available in John Johnson to a three-year deal but could still use some versatility on defense and few meet that criteria better than Owusu-Koramoah. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, he may be a bit undersized but has shown he can make up for it not only with his ability in coverage but also attacking the line of scrimmage averaging a tackle for loss per game the past two seasons at Notre Dame.
The Browns need to upgrade their pass rush outside of Myles Garrett, but they also need to improve their linebacker corps. Collins has the size (6-4, 260), athleticism and positional flexibility that will cause most defensive coordinators to drool. He received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded by the Football Writers Association of America to the top defensive player in college football.
The Browns hit their need for defensive line depth by signing pass rusher Takkarist McKinley and defensive tackle Malik Jackson in free agency. Now the team needs to shift its focus to the linebacking corps, and that's where Collins comes in. The Tulsa star has good size, athleticism, and instincts, and could wear a number of different hats for Cleveland -- both as an off-ball linebacker and a sub-package blitzer.
The Browns could use another impact pass-rusher opposite Myles Garrett. Zaven Collins won the Nagurski Award as the nation's best defender and has a great mix of size, speed, smarts and overall versatility.
