Browns Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s 2023 season proved he’s 1 of 1

JOK being unique in the NFL is no surprise to Browns fans

Sometimes luck is just a huge part of how things happen in professional sports. That is probably true for many of us in our personal lives as well. Good luck. Bad luck. Luck is quite random.

There is also the ancient Roman saying “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

In the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns were prepared when the opportunity to draft Notre Dame Fighting Irish LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah presented itself. GM Andrew Berry traded up from pick #59 to #52 after JOK fell due to concerns around his heart (and lesser concerns around his size).

In three seasons, Owusu-Koramoah has been a force all over the field with 247 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 14 passes defended, 10 quarterback hits, five sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions. The do-it-all linebacker was unique, 1 of 1 in the NFL, in 2023:

For reference, just three players had more tackles for loss, all highly-paid defensive linemen: Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack. Hunter and Crosby led the league with 23 such tackles while Browns DE Myles Garrett was seventh with 17.

Crosby came close to matching JOK’s numbers with 90 tackles last season while LB Lavonte David had more tackles than Cleveland’s star linebacker but three less tackles for loss.

As WR Amari Cooper’s contract gets a lot of attention, JOK is also entering the final year of his contract. It will be interesting if the Browns are able to get an extension done this year or will the Notre Dame product be faced with the Franchise Tag in the offseason?

Are you surprised that JOK’s performance was unique last year? Do you think he will get the biggest contract for an off-ball linebacker (not a pass-rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense) when he signs his next deal?

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