Round 4 (Via GB): James Looney, DL, California – 6-2.75 287 lbs
- 56 solo tackles (3.6 percent), 20.5 tackles for loss (11 percent), and 8 sacks (10.6 percent) over three seasons.
Age: 22 years old (Born May 15, 1995)
40 Yard Dash: 4.89s
Broad Jump: 9’5″
Vertical: 35.5″
3-Cone: 7.32s
Shuttle: 4.37s
Bench: 28 reps
Similar to Larry Ogunjobi last year, Looney is an impressive athlete that racked up pretty good production in relative obscurity. He has a lot to offer in terms of a draft profile and in terms of versatility. Looney can and has played anywhere from the 5-tech, 3-tech and even nose.
He’s not a super polished player and is more of a grinder than anything else. Looney isn’t fancy and is another player who is looking to take the straightest line to the ball as possible. So while he can do a lot and play in a number of spots, he does still have a lot to learn about how best to do it. Looney has viability in run defense as well as rushing the passer and could give them a nice change up at nose when they go to a nickel package.
Given the investment the Browns have on the defensive line already, Looney is in a good position to learn and develop much in the same way Ogunjobi did last year. His role may be limited as a rookie, but the hope is the time he does get will be a welcome addition to what should be a strong front.
If the Browns don’t go with Looney, this could be a spot for the Browns to pluck out a corner that fell to them. Quenton Meeks or M.J. Stewart if they were to be available at this point stand out.