2021 NFL Draft: Top Five Picks from the second round

After a big season in 2020, the Cleveland Browns needed to go all-in and make moves on both sides of the ball. Earlier in the first round, the Browns made a pick for a new reliable cornerback in Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II. The Browns continued to address their defense but this time in the middle of the field with a Jeremiah Owusu-Koarmoah with the 52nd overall pick.

This was a position need that was to be addressed for several seasons but lacked the ideal player to the role. Last season, the Browns’ defense ranked 21st in the league in points per game (26.2). Owusu-Koramoah fits perfectly with the Browns’ defense right in the middle. He will also take the pressure off of Malcolm Smith and Mack Wilson for Cleveland.

Owusu-Koaramoah had two dominant seasons in the last two years with the Fighting Irish. This past season, he accounted for 62 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles.

He accumulated 142 total tackles, 96 solo tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one interception, seven pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. He has the potential to become Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL if he starts immediately.

The goal of the offseason for the Carolina Panthers was to find a potential franchise quarterback and develop around him. Most analysts would find that quarterback in the Draft but the Panthers found him earlier by trading for New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. The Panthers used the draft to fix their major concerns on defense and to give weapons Darnold weapons and protection for once.

The Panthers gave Darnold another solid weapon in wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. with the 59th overall pick. While Robby Anderson had a solid year this past season for Carolina, Marshall could come in as the new number one receiver for Carolina. At 6-2, he has good size and speed to beat opposing defensive backs in coverage.

Marshall was underlooked at LSU due to the stellar performance of the rest of the offense including fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase. In the Championship season with LSU, Marshall caught 46 receptions for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns.

This past season, Marshall caught 48 receptions for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marshall will be reuniting with Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator for the Panthers. Brady was the passing game coordinator & wide receivers coach for the Tigers’ championship season in 2019.

Marshall will be able to make an impact immediately for the Panthers’ offense with Brady creating a solid offensive system and Darnold as the quarterback.