Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Profile: DT Rene Konga, Louisville

Career Defensive Stats: 44 games, 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 8 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble

Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 222nd overall, projected seventh round

The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Not rated

What an Expert is Saying

Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Slightly undersized but wearing good muscle mass, Konga is built for life as a one-gapping 3-technique. His testing numbers were eye-popping, but his career production does not align with the athletic traits. He has good first-step quickness to challenge gaps but is unable to withstand a stout drive-blocker or double-team looks. A right-handed club is his go-to rush move but it feels like there is more meat on the bone as a pass rusher for a team willing to make development a priority. Konga might need to prove himself as a situational rusher to land a spot on an NFL roster.

What an Expert is Saying (Bonus Round)

Dane Brugler at The Athletic:

A three-star recruit, he signed with Rutgers (over Syracuse) and reclassified, enrolling at 17. He found himself buried on the depth chart over four years in the program and struggled to make an impact. For his final two seasons, he transferred to Louisville, where he became a starter and an All-ACC performer (44.3 defensive snaps per game in 2025).

Konga’s college career was a slow burn, but his fresh start at Louisville felt like an awakening for him (NFL scout: “Quiet kid. … Some guys just need time to mature their habits and realize their abilities.”). He has a compact build and carries his weight well with long, thick arms. He tends to pop upright, which leaves him stuck on contact, but he can get blockers moving using his athletic feet and strong swats. His closing speed is only average, which can hurt his sack production. He is physical in the run game and has adequate anchor to hold his ground. Effort plays are all over his tape, and he did a nice job finding passing lanes (six batted passes in 2025).

Konga put disruptive flashes on tape, with short-area quickness and violent hands to impact both phases. He is the type of ascending prospect worth bringing to your building.

Fit with the Browns

The end of the draft is the time to select players who can play on special teams and have the potential to also earn playing time in other roles. Konga sounds like one of those players, and the Browns can always use defensive linemen who are willing to be physical in the run game.

Meeting with a prospect virtually is not the same as drafting him, but it is good to see the Browns looking everywhere they can to find anyone who can help out.

Browns Player Drafting Could Impact

Mason Graham is set, and the Browns just signed Kalia Davis in free agency, so he should be comfortable as well. Maliek Collins was name-checked by owner Jimmy Haslam in the offseason, so he should be OK, but he is the old man of the group, so you never know.

That would leave Mike Hall Jr., who has done little in his two years with the Browns, and Sam Kamara as the potential odd men out.

Priority: Low

What are your thoughts on Rene Konga? Worth a look late in the draft? Let us know in the comments!