Last month, the Cleveland Browns bolstered their roster by making seven picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
And it took less than a month for the Browns to get those players signed.
On Friday, the Browns announced they have agreed to terms with linebacker Sione Takitaki, who they selected in the third round of last month's draft. With that, Cleveland has now inked the entirety of its seven-player draft class -- a process that has typically been expedited under the league's current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Selected by the Browns with the No. 80 overall pick in last month's draft, the 6-foot-1, 238-pound Takitaki spent his college career at BYU, where he appeared in 41 games, amassing 241 tackles, 33.5 of which came for a loss and 15.5 sacks over the course of four seasons. As a senior, the Romoland, California, native tallied 119 tackles, 10 of which came for a loss and 4 sacks, including 19 tackles and 1 sack in the Cougars' win over Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Although he possesses the ability to play multiple linebacker positions, Takitaki has typically lined up at the 'Mike' spot during rookie minicamp and Organized Team Activites. He has been lauded by Cleveland's front office and analysts alike for his versatility and physicality, which could make him an integral part of the Browns' defense as early as his rookie year.
“I feel like right now, [I can contribute] wherever I’m needed," Takitaki said at the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month. "If that is the case, then I’m willing to be a starter. I feel like I got that talent. I’m coming in and trying to find a role. I don’t know what that might be."
The entirety of the Browns' 2019 draft class is as follows:
- CB Greedy Williams (LSU)
- LB Sione Takitaki (BYU)
- S Sheldon Redwine (Miami, Fla.)
- LB Mack Wilson (Alabama)
- K Austin Seibert (Oklahoma)
- OL Drew Forbes (Southeast Missouri State)
- CB Donnie Lewis (Tulane)