The Browns already have reasons to feel good about their defense, but that doesn’t mean the front office should stop hunting for more pieces. If Cleveland is looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, one name worth filing away is Cincinnati’s Antwan Peek Jr.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently listed Peek as a potential breakout player for the coming college season, and the fit for Cleveland is easy to see. Peek is a hybrid defender who has spent his time at Cincinnati doing a little bit of everything, and that kind of versatility always gets attention in today’s NFL.
"Cincinnati hybrid defender Antwan Peek Jr. will be a fascinating prospect to watch over the coming season," Knox wrote. "A combination linebacker and defensive back Peek done a little bit of everything for the Bearcats in his three seasons.
This past season, Peek tallied 59 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. He has recorded six forced fumbles over the last two seasons. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back.
At 6'1" and 220 pounds, Peek has good size for a future NFL safety, though he might be a bit small for the hybrid linebacker role. Still, his versatility should draw attention in 2026, especially if the Bearcats are relevant in the Big 12."
For Browns fans, the appeal is pretty straightforward: Peek brings the kind of multi-use skill set that can help a defense create more havoc. He’s been a steady producer at Cincinnati, and last season he added 59 combined tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Just as important, he has a knack for finding the football and forcing turnovers.
Peek hasn’t logged an interception in his Cincinnati career, but he has shown he can finish plays from a few different alignments. Whether he’s playing deep, working near the numbers, or flying sideline to sideline, he’s been reliable as a tackler and has consistently shown up in the right spots to close down windows.
That sort of profile makes him interesting for Cleveland, even if the path to a defined NFL role may take time. He could eventually offer the Browns another athlete who can match up with different kinds of skill players, and his blend of size and movement skills suggests he could become a useful playmaker early if the fit is right.
There are still questions to answer, though. Peek may need time before his role settles in at the next level, and it’s not yet clear how much he’ll be asked to do in the hybrid space. He could also end up leaning more toward linebacker, both at Cincinnati and later in the pros.
One thing that stands out is his growing work closer to the line of scrimmage. Peek has not been used as a major pass rusher so far at Cincinnati, but he is expected to do more of that this season.
That development matters, especially because his father, Antwan Peek Sr., has helped him through the transition. Peek Sr. is the all-time sack leader at UC and also spent time in the NFL, including with the Browns.
That connection only adds to the intrigue. If Peek Jr. keeps building on what he’s already shown, he could become a name Cleveland fans know well before the 2027 draft arrives. Whether he ends up as a third safety, a long-term answer next to Grant Delpit, or more of a linebacker, he looks like the kind of versatile defender the Browns should keep on the radar.
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