The Browns have kicked off the second night of the draft with a defensive addition. UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been selected with the No. 33 pick. 
Cleveland was in position to take Travis Hunter second overall last night, but the team’s long-negotiated trade with the Jaguars became official. As a result, the Browns acquired capital for this year and next and added along the defensive line by selecting Michigan’s Mason Graham. Today’s opening pick marks another selection aimed at upgrading the front seven.
Schwesinger was a no-star recruit who failed to start a game during his first two seasons in college. As a result, it would have been seen as a surprise at the start of the 2024 campaign that he would be drafted early on Day 2. Given how the season played out, though, the junior entered the pre-draft process as the consensus No. 2 linebacker prospect in this year’s class. Jihaad Campbell (Eagles) went 31st overall yesterday, and Schwesinger has come off the board shortly thereafter.
In 2024, Schwesinger’s production erupted with 136 tackles (including 8.5 for loss), four sacks and a pair of interceptions. His work in coverage in particular led to a dramatic rise in his draft stock. The first-team All-American profiles as a candidate to see plenty of playing time early in his career as he looks to help a defense which ranked just 21st in the NFL against the run last season.
A neck injury limited Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to eight games in 2024, and his return timeline remains unclear at this point. The Browns hope to have him back in the fold at some point next season, but Schwesinger could step into a starting gig early on if Week 1 does not prove to be feasible. In any case, the latter will be expected to operate as a core defender in Cleveland for years to come.
Wow must mean JOK isn’t doing good
lol “must”?