BEREA, Ohio – With the top two quarterbacks long gone, the Cleveland Browns looked to their offensive and defensive lines in the opening round of the NFL draft Thursday night.
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The team selected Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton with the No. 12 overall pick and offensive lineman Cameron Erving with the No. 19 selection.
Browns coach Mike Pettine acknowledged the two picks weren’t the “sexiest,” but Cleveland beefed up both lines.
The 6’2”, 339-pound Shelton should help a defense that ranked last in the NFL against the run in 2014.
After starting his career at Florida State as a defensive tackle, the 6’5”, 313-pound Erving spent the last two season protecting 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, as a tackle and then at center.
Much of the pre-draft speculation centered on the Browns possibly trading up and taking the franchise quarterback they’ve coveted since their expansion rebirth. Cleveland has started 22 quarterbacks since 1999, and the club’s inability to find an elite one has kept the Browns irrelevant.
After Tampa Bay took Winston with the first pick, the Brown had two picks to dangle in front of Tennessee, but once the Titans took Oregon’s Marcus Mariota at No. 2, the Browns addressed one of their other big needs — a run stuffer – and selected Shelton.
Erving adds depth to Cleveland’s offensive line, and he could be a long-term backup plan at center if Pro Bowler Alex Mack decides to opt out of his contract after next season.
Cleveland entered the draft’s second day with eight more selections, including the No. 43 overall selection where they might be able to add a playmaker — or maybe that elusive quarterback to develop for the future.
The draft’s second and third rounds are held Friday with rounds four through seven on Saturday.