Pick 52: David Veikune

04.25.2009

The Browns completed their work on Day One of the NFL Draft by selecting a pass rusher, David Veikune of Hawaii, with the 52nd overall pick.

Veikune (6-foot-2, 257) had 16 sacks in his final two college seasons, 7 for Hawaii's Sugar Bowl team in 2007 and 9 as a senior last fall. He probably will play outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense.

He had 73 tackles last season, when he started all 14 games. He also had 3 pass breakups and 11 quarterback pressures last fall.

Veikune (pronounced Vay-koo-nay) was born in Alaska to a military family. He also lived in Arizona and New Mexico before settling in Hawaii. He has uncles and cousins from the Tongan Islands.

Browns General Manager George Kokinis said Veikune "is a guy we did some homework on. He's got a big-time motor. When you look at the tape the thing really jumps out is the way he finished plays and ran to the football. He can get to the quarterback."

"I love the guy's motor," head coach Eric Mangini said. "He has toughness, aggressiveness and I like his ability to change direction. There's a smoothness to the way he changes directions."