Browns choose LB Justin Jefferson with the No. 149 choose within the 2026 NFL Draft

The Browns chosen LB Justin Jefferson with the 149th total choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.

“I’m very excited,” Jefferson mentioned. “A lot of new stuff that I have to learn and just being able to grow with the young guys that’s already been there for a little. And being able to run around, fly around and shoot, play some good ball, bring home the win. It means a lot to me. It means a lot to me to be chosen. Shoot, I’m going to do everything I need to.”

Jefferson appeared in 41 profession video games in three seasons at Alabama. He recorded 149 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, one interception, six passes defensed and three pressured fumbles.

Jefferson joins a linebacker room that noticed one addition throughout free company in Quincy Williams. Jefferson joins a unit lead by Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger – who led the workforce with 146 tackles and had two interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss – and has depth items in Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Edefuan Ulofoshio and Nathaniel Watson.

“Really nice scheme fit, first and foremost,” Director of Player Personnel Adam Al-Khayyal mentioned of Jefferson. “I mean, we have played with Devin Bush, we signed Quincy Williams. Both of those guys are around the same size, six foot, really fast, really athletic. So just a real clean vision for how he fits into the scheme. And then when you have guys who can run 4.4 and like to hit, that translates pretty well on special teams. So, I think, Justin, both on defense and on special teams will have a nice role.”

Jefferson carved out a job for himself on particular groups early in his profession at Alabama earlier than he stepped right into a full-time starter throughout the 2025 season, wherein he began all 15 video games.

“I think with Justin (Jefferson), he’s a DNA match for this defense because we’ll prioritize speed, range, athleticism, and sacrifice a little bit of size because of how we play,” Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry mentioned. “But then also, his ability in the kicking game is certainly a bonus because it gives a relatively high floor for his year one role.”