Cleveland Browns select Demetric Felton in 6th round of 2021 NFL Draft

After 210 picks of waiting, Demetric Felton will be heading to the NFL Draft’s host city.

The former UCLA football running back and wide receiver was drafted 211th overall to the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Felton was the 29th wide receiver or the 14th running back taken and the second Bruin after Osa Odighizuwa was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys on Friday.

The Browns are coming off of an 11-5 season in which they made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Cleveland currently has a surplus of both wide receivers and running backs on the roster, with multiple All-Pros at each position.

It is unknown how Felton will be used with the Browns, as the hybrid back played both running back and wide receiver with the Bruins and discussed the possibility of transitioning full time to receiver in meetings with NFL teams. ESPN had Felton listed as a wide receiver during its draft coverage. 

Felton also lined up as a receiver during the Senior Bowl and played well enough to earn him National Team Wide Receiver of the Week honors.

After minimal playing time in his first two years in Westwood, Felton – used primarily as a pass-catcher – caught 20 passes for 207 yards in his third season. In his redshirt junior year, he was used in a hybrid role, rushing the ball 86 times and catching 55 passes for 925 total yards.

Felton broke out a season ago as the Bruins’ lead back, after he led UCLA with 668 rushing yards per game in six games, ranking fourth in the conference with 111.3 rushing yards per contest. Felton could also provide versatility in special teams at the next level, as he accumulated over 600 yards returning kickoffs in his five years in the blue and gold.

Felton is the second skill position player drafted by the Browns after they used the 91st pick on wide receiver Anthony Schwartz from Auburn.

Rookies report to training camp on July 21st with the regular season starting in September.