Cleveland Browns select Isaiah McGuire in fourth round of 2023 NFL Draft

After a lengthy career playing along the Missouri defensive line, Tiger defensive end Isaiah McGuire has his new home in the NFL. McGuire has been selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 126 overall pick, in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

McGuire was a three-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. McGuire was limited in his time on the field early in his career at Missouri, playing just one game during his freshman season and then seven in his sophomore year.

McGuire took a step as a junior in 2021, though, playing 13 games and recording 55 tackles, 14 of which were for loss, and six sacks. Following that impressive season, McGuire posted strong numbers once again. He had 40 tackles, 14 of which were for loss, and a career-best 8.5 sacks during the 2022 season, leading to this new chapter in the NFL.

“He’s a force now,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said of McGuire back in November, according to the Missourian. “He’s a force up front. For him to come back after an AC separation and put his teammates first, put this team first, put this rivalry first, put the state first instead of saying, ‘Well, I had a really good year. I could opt out, save for the NFL and all that.’ He just wanted it.”

What NFL Draft Analysts are saying about Isaiah McGuire

While some might not be all that familiar with McGuire, he is standing out to NFL Draft scouts. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein provided a breakdown of McGuire prior to the NFL Draft. In the analysis, Zierlein compared McGuire to Preston Smith, currently of the Green Bay Packers.

“An edge defender with good size and length, McGuire’s flashes of power and disruption might allow for a projection beyond what you would expect for his somewhat inconsistent tape,” Zierlein wrote. “He struggles to hold his ground against edge blocks. His B-gap freestyles bring tackles for loss, but they also allow for massive run lanes. He’s a bulldozing power rusher who can uproot tackles and collapse pockets with forceful punch and explosive leg drive. He’ll need to get schooled up on varying his entry points and angles to keep NFL tackles guessing, but his style should translate in the league. His run defense needs work, but his size and disruption could make him a starter one day.”