Browns Linebacker Emerges as Stuff Star in 2023

 By Nick Webster 

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

When reviewing the top defensive performances of the 2023 NFL season, the standard stats that usually garner attention are Tackles, Sacks, and Interceptions. But a deeper look into the stat sheets reveals an often-overlooked metric that can be just as telling about a player's impact - "Stuffs".

Stuffs, are tackles (accounted for like sacks – shared equals ½) that result in negative yards for the offense and they are an integral part of evaluating defenders. However, they rarely break through to the mainstream recognition usually reserved for flashier measures—like sacks or interceptions for example.

This year though, one player stands out with a Stuffs total that deserves attention - Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, also known as JOK.

Stuffs have been tracked since 1994 by STATS, Inc. (now called STATS Perform) and we at the Journal have completed the history back to 1970.  However, STATS only counts run stuffs and we've have added passstuffs as well, which covers screen passes that a defender stops behind the line of scrimmage.

In 2023, JOK led the entire NFL with an impressive 16 stuffs over 17 games. For context on what an impressive figure that is, consider that stuffs leaders are typically interior defenders like defensive tackles, 3-4 DEs or inside-middle linebackers playing in the box or along the line of scrimmage. Yet JOK plays off-ball as a non-edge outside linebacker tasked with covering more ground in space.

JOK has been a less publicized, yet integral part, of the exceptional Cleveland Brown defense in 2023.  Attention is merited for Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward but among JOK, Grant Delpit and Martin Emerson the Browns have three young rising stars making major contributions.

Owusu-Koramoah's role is one that typically affords fewer opportunities to make plays in the offensive backfield compared to teammates closer to the ball. But through a combination of speed, aggressiveness and a nose for finding the ball carrier before the line of gain, JOK maximized his chances with remarkable consistency all season long.

Quincy Williams

Another star in the making who differentiated himself on a strong defense was New York Jets’ LB Quincy Williams. He may be the lesser recognized of the Williams brothers on the Jets D, but he had a huge impact on the ability of that unit to keep the Jets in games this year. This was reflected – in part – in his Stuff figure of 13.5, good for second in the league.  

Williams has been breaking out for a couple seasons now and is just beginning to earn attention for his excellence. In JOK and Williams, the league has a couple of young up-and-comers who should make waves at LB fo years now.

Lavonte David

 Also worthy of note for his performance this year is Lavonte David, a veteran who is perpetually underrated David logged 11 Stuffs in 2023, good for fourth in the league but also his eighth season of 10-plus Stuffs.  

Since at least 1970 David is now tied with Junior Seau with those eight 10-plus Stuff seasons and he now ranks second behind only Seau in Career Stuffs with 134.5. In fact, David is on-pace to be the All-time leading stuffer – should he maintain his level of play. David is a true superstar toiling in obscurity in Tampa who by all rights should receive HOF consideration when he retires. 

Calais Campbell

Another grizzled vet, Calais Campbell posted just 5.5 stuffs this year, but that brought his career total to 99. Should he stick around and log one more next season, Campbell could join a select list along with Bruce Smith, Deacon Jones, JJ Watt, Terrell Suggs and Alan Page as the only players with over 100 sacks and stuffs in his career. Campbell, like David, is worthy of HOF consideration when he’s eligible.

Aaron Donald

Finally, no conversation of defensive difference-makers is complete without mention of Aaron Donald.  While Donald’s 2023 may not be up to his performance of a few years back he still logged 9 Stuffs bringing his career total to 91. Barring an early retirement Donald should join the select 100/100 club that Campbell is seeking with ease.