Cleveland Browns: Grading every 2019 NFL Draft pick
By Cory Kinnan
Round 3: Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU
To see the Browns select Sione Takitaki with their third-round selection was a bit of a surprise. While Takitaki is an athletic linebacker, the third round felt about a round and a half too early for him to come off the board. There was irony in the pick, however, as current Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey announced his potential replacement.
With the 80th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the #Browns select Sione Takitaki, LB, Brigham Young.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2019
Sione Takitaki posted a Elite #RAS with Okay size, Great speed, Elite explosiveness, Good agility at the LB position. pic.twitter.com/m7gCOWVsuv
According to Kent Lee Platte, Takitaki ranks among the most athletic of the linebackers in this year’s class. At 6-1 and 238 pounds, Takitaki ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, hit 37 inches on his vertical jump, 10-5 foot broad jump and 24 reps on the bench press. Takitaki has a bit of production to match his athleticism as well.
During his final two seasons at BYU Takitaki totaled over 200 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks from his linebacker spot. His film shows a linebacker who tends to over-pursue and find himself in bad position.
Dorsey sees something in the captain at Brigham Young in order to willingly reach on him. Takitaki was not a top-five rated linebacker, but it is only a matter of time until it will be apparent whether or not Takitaki’s production will match his draft position.
Grade: C+