CLEVELAND — Considering that the Cleveland Browns had previously been linked to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with their first-round pick, it came as a surprise to many that they were able to trade up to select the Notre Dame linebacker in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
But according to a new report, there was at least one reason for Owusu-Koramoah's slide.
On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that a heart condition that came up late in the draft process played a role in Owusu-Koramoah falling to the No. 52 pick, where he was selected by Cleveland following a trade with the Carolina Panthers. While doctors ultimately cleared the 2020 Butkus Award winner for play, Schefter said that the news did help contribute to his drop.
Appearing on 92.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning, Browns general manager Andrew Berry downplayed any potential concerns regarding Owusu-Koramoah's health.
"We just thought he was one of the more talented prospects in this year's class," Berry told The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima. "He's completely healthy. There's really nothing in his background that would suggest he can't have a nice, long career."
Considered one of the top linebacker prospects in this year's class, Owusu-Koramoah earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020, totaling 62 tackles, 11 of which came for a loss and 1 interception for the Fighting Irish last season. In coming to Cleveland, the 6-foot-1, 221-pound linebacker is expected to begin his NFL career playing the 'Will' linebacker position in the Browns' defense.