CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns added depth to the interior of their offensive line with the selection of Washington center Nick Harris 160th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday afternoon.
The fifth-round pick was acquired from the Colts in a trade Friday night to allow Indianapolis to move up from 44 to 41 in the second round.
“This is a dream I have had now since I can remember,” Harris said.
A 2019 All-Pac-12 first team selection, Harris has started 25 games the last two seasons at center for Washington and he is expected to give the Browns depth on the interior of their offensive line.
“We do think there is some position flexibility with Nick,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He is a talented player. There is a very obvious schematic fit with his movement skills, He is a tough, tough player and plays through the whistle and his athleticism is on display. I really like the make-up of the person.
“Once we get our hands on him and teach him this system, we will see exactly where he fits, whether it be center or guard.”
Cleveland signed veteran center JC Tretter to a three-year, $32.55 million extension last November and Harris gives them a quality backup and a potential replacement down the road.
Harris also has experience at all three interior positions.
He played right guard earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2017. In 2016 he started two games at left guard and two games at right guard.
“I feel comfortable there, but I also feel comfortable at guard,” Harris said. “Wherever I can get on the field the fastest and contribute will be good for me because I have those two years playing guard. Anywhere I could just start playing football will be good.”
Undervalued and undersized at 6-foot-1, Harris sees his height as an advantage.
“It starts with technique. It starts with also the mental aspect of the game,” Harris said. “I take both of those pretty seriously and how I go about playing football. Also, it is just a will. I love playing O line. I like finishing people. I take pride in what I do. Honestly, I think it helps me, I get better leverage under people. I have long arms for my height. I think at the end of the day, it helps me more than it hurts me.”
