Former Oklahoma star Perrion Winfrey on joining Browns defensive line: 'I'll be more seen than heard'
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Cleveland Browns’ newest defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey is taking that to heart during his first few months following the 2022 NFL Draft with his new team.
He wants to have the success of teammate Myles Garrett, and is keeping a close eye on the veteran Pro Bowler in the hopes of learning a thing or two from one of the league’s finest. If that means taking on a limited role in his first year or two in Cleveland, so be it.
“I feel like, at first, I’ll be more seen than heard,” Winfrey said. “Just letting my actions do the talking and, obviously, following anything Myles Garrett does. He goes to the bathroom, I go to the bathroom. He gets a drink of water, I’m getting a drink of water.”
When Winfrey was drafted, the rookie called Garrett the best defensive end in the NFL today, and many would agree. Garrett appeared in every game last season for the Browns, totaling 33 tackles, but excelled in the pass rush where he picked up 16 sacks – good for third in the NFL.
Likewise, Winfrey finished with two sacks and three tackles for a loss in the Senior Bowl earlier this year. He was named the game’s MVP, going viral on Twitter and more for his performances throughout the week. At the combine, he dropped more jaws after finishing with an official 40-yard dash time of 4.89 seconds.
Winfrey earned second team All-Big 12 selections through two seasons with Oklahoma, showing vast improvements as a senior. This past season, Winfrey started all 12 games for the Sooners to finish with 23 tackles (11 for loss), 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Although those numbers might not exactly pop out on paper, the Browns can rest assured after the defensive tackle’s performance both in the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine.
The lack of eye-popping stats have always plagued Winfrey on the stat sheet. In two years of junior college at Iowa Western, he totaled just 55 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and one forced fumble, but the former Sooner’s ability to position himself thanks to his speed and natural ability to disrupt the running game was enough for him to be drafted in the fourth round.