Julian Okwara’s journey has definitely been one of persistence and adaptability. While he hasn’t quite lived up to the potential of a third-round pick, his ability to stick around, contribute on special teams, and carve out rotational snaps across multiple teams says a lot about his work ethic and versatility.
The Browns grabbing him just before the draft feels like a low-risk depth move — maybe to add competition in camp or plug a situational pass-rush gap. Cleveland’s already got some serious talent along that defensive line with Myles Garrett headlining, so Okwara won’t be expected to carry a heavy load, but he could thrive in a limited role with the right scheme.
Do you think Cleveland still goes edge rusher in the draft, or does this signing hint they might look elsewhere early on?
Injuries curtailed Okwara’s impact during his time in Detroit. He was part of the final draft class selected by former general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia. Despite the leadership change, Okwara remained with the team through three seasons under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, completing his rookie contract with the Lions.
The Lions are reportedly among the teams most eager to bolster their pass rush in the upcoming draft. Currently, they’re counting on Aidan Hutchinson’s recovery, improved health from Marcus Davenport, and contributions from the versatile Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike to help address that need.
“We’re excited about where our defensive line stands right now,” Campbell said during the NFL owners meetings. “We managed to bring back the key guys we wanted. Free agency was about making the most of the opportunities, and getting Davenport back was important. Hutchinson is recovering, and with what we got from Mac early in the year, plus adding Roy Lopez to Reader, we’re in a decent spot while we wait for others to return. Wingo is still injured, but overall, we feel confident.”
He added, “But we’re not done yet. That’s the key. We don’t know when the next move will happen—it might be during the draft, or afterward. We’re exploring all options.”
