When evaluating three of the Browns free agent signings it was one player prediction in particular that would have many fans in Cleveland underwhelmed. Bleacher Report’s Jake Will thinks that defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will finish with “fewer than three sacks” this season.
It is not hard to build a solid case for this hot take. When Cleveland signed Okoronkwo in the offseason it appeared he would instantly slide into the starting spot opposite Myles Garrett. But it was the trade for Za’Darius Smith that ultimately made Will come to this conclusion. Barring injury or poor performance, the starting job belongs to Smith.
Another valid point brought up is that Okoronkwo has a very short track record of being a productive NFL player. With all five sacks, six of nine tackles for loss, and six of 11 quarterback hits coming in the final six games, it is more than fair to question just how real this was. Considering that up to that point Okoronkwo had just 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits in 44 games, things start to not so great here.
The best thing to happen to Okoronkwo is that the Browns traded for a known commodity in Smith, even after dealing with a knee issue last season. Okoronkwo behind Smith and possibly alongside him in a pass rush heavy package should allow the Browns to get the most out of him. Perhaps Okoronkwo can take over that role next season after Smith’s current deal expires, but for now he is best suited as complimentary pass rush specialist.
