With the 2025 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday, teams will be looking to find the future stars of tomorrow while also deciding to move on from current players on their roster.
Former Houston Texans defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo best describes the second option, as he could reportedly be on the move. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, the current Cleveland Browns defensive end and cornerback Greg Newsome are believed to be available via trade.
Two #Browns players believed to be available via trade entering the draft, per sources: CB Greg Newsome and DE Ogbo Okoronkwo.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 24, 2025
Okoronkwo has recorded 7.5 sacks over the past two seasons, while Newsome — a former first-round pick — is entering the final year of his deal. pic.twitter.com/17mf96pE96
The 30-year-old Okoronkwo signed a three-year, $19 million contract with the Browns in Mar. 2023 after spending the 2022 season with the Texans. In his lone season with the Texans, he produced 44 combined tackles, 11 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble (17 games, 8 starts).
Since leaving Houston, Okoronkwo has struggled to replicate those numbers in his first two years with the Browns.
In his first season with the Browns (2023), the veteran defender posted 31 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery in 14 games.
Last season, Okoronkwo got some opportunities to start (five games), but only had 23 combined tackles, six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former Texans defender possessed a disappointing 55.4 pass rushing grade (145th among 211 EDGEs) and a 48.1 run defense (182nd). Based on his stats over the last two years, the former Texans defensive end might get moved to a late Day 3 pick.
Okoronkwo is a solid rotational pass rusher at this stage of his career. While things haven’t gone to plan in his first two years with the Browns, he could flourish in a different scheme that could get him back on track.