Their inability to win has made the “Process-Trusters” and members of the lockout Charlotte Bobcats team blush.
The front office’s ability to hit on draft picks was about as accurate as Ben Simmons from beyond the arc, and their leads in games lasted as long as a Kardashian relationship.
That was then. This is now.
On September 20, 2018, the Cleveland Browns got their first win in 635 days, beating the New York Jets. Bud Light flowed, and Baker Mayfield showcased why he went first overall in this year’s draft. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Browns have something they’ve been severely lacking in.
Hope.
It’s safe to say the Browns hit on last year’s first overall pick Myles Garrett (4.0 sacks, t-first in the league), and early returns on the Browns’ other top pick (Denzel Ward, fourth overall in this year’s draft, two interceptions) have been a pleasant surprise. There’s one draft pick the Browns made recently that may be their best one yet.
Meet Larry Ogunjobi, a 2017 third round pick from the University of Charlotte.
If you can’t pronounce his last name, Larry will do. He’s only tied for second in sacks league-wide (3.0) and tied for first in the same category among defensive tackles. His sack total so far has already tripled from his total last season.
His ten tackles rank third on the Browns’ roster and are already only seven shy of his total tackles from last season.
Why pay him any mind?
Last season, Ogunjobi was mainly a rotational defensive tackle, making only one start. This year, the Browns’ coaching staff liked what they saw and committed to him as a starter. He’s made the most out of his opportunity.
Despite weighing 305 lbs, Ogunjobi was very active in the Browns’ win over the Jets.
Larry Ogunjobi was as active as you'll see from a defensive tackle last night. He played all but three snaps.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) September 21, 2018
Not only is Ogunjobi gifted athletically, but he’s also smart.
Little-known fact about #Browns superstar DT Larry Ogunjobi. He scored a freakin 36 on the Wonderlic Test. pic.twitter.com/dKy3vo8vVI
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) September 27, 2018
Aside: For those of you that don’t know what the Wonderlic Test is, (in the context of the NFL) it’s a test used by NFL teams to determine IQ and personality traits. A 50 is the best result a player can receive. Ogunjobi’s was tied for the second highest for any player.
Finding tape on Ogunjobi was difficult, but this play against Jets center Spencer Long helps highlight Ogunjobi’s (#65) talent:
Myles and Larry apply pressure. Joe Schobert profits.
Larry Ogunjobi is with us tomorrow morning at 7. Joe Schobert is with us tonight at 7 on @BrownsRadio pic.twitter.com/5B2QedLA1V
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) September 26, 2018
Ogunjobi barely had to use his whole body weight to get pressure on rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. Paired with Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah on the defensive line, along with Denzel Ward, Damarious Randall, Jamie Collins and company, the Browns are on their way to something special.
Larry Ogunjobi is a star in the making and may just become Larry Legend by season’s end.