Report: Browns' Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah fell in draft due to heart issue

The Cleveland Browns received high praise and high grades for a draft class that included them trading with the Carolina Panthers so they could use the No. 52 pick on Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, thought by many to be a first-round talent as recently as this past Thursday night. 

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Owusu-Koramoah fell into the draft's second round because he was diagnosed with a heart issue that concerned other would-be suitors. The 21-year-old has been cleared by doctors to continue his career, and the Browns will move forward hoping they got one of the draft's top steals. 

Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football gave the Browns an "A" for this pick before Monday's news went public. "Some would say he doesn't have a natural position, so after Isaiah Simmons' struggles last year, teams may have been worried about Owusu-Koramoah's translation to the NFL," Cherepinsky wrote about Cleveland's new defensive rookie. "However, he's a great athlete and should be able to help Cleveland defend Lamar Jackson." 

In December, Owusu-Koramoah won the 2020 Butkus Award, given to the player deemed the best linebacker in college football.