2019 NFL Draft: Browns trade up to select CB Greedy Williams at No. 46
April 26, 201930 Quick Hits on Day Two of the NFL Draft for the Browns
April 27, 2019The Cleveland Browns continued their Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft by addressing the defense once again, something that will likely be a common theme as the draft goes on. With the 80th pick, the Browns selected linebacker Sione Takitaki of BYU in the third round. The pick addresses one of the biggest needs on the roster. Takitaki is not only on the all-name team, but he posted a lot of production in his college career. He played all four seasons with the Cougars. In his senior year in 2018, he had 119 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and four sacks. After the Browns released linebacker Jamie Collins this offseason, Cleveland was in need of depth at this position.
So, what can the Browns expect from this linebacker? Here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about the newest Browns linebacker:
From wild and immature to a married man and team captain, Takitaki’s career at BYU has been filled with several downs and one, big upswing that started in 2017 after he sat out 2016 to “get his head right.” He covers up for a lack of speed and instincts with a hard-charging style that leads to feast or famine tape at times. He has deficiencies that muddy his fit at all three linebacker spots, but his playing style is tailor-made for special teams which could be his ticket into a backup linebacker spot at the back-end of a roster.
Takitaki had a rough start to his BYU career. He was kicked off the team and suspended multiple times for several transgressions. But, his career and life seemed to turn around when he took a year off from football and got married. His play and production increased after that point and was even named a team captain last season. Here are some highlights of the newest Browns linebacker:
