CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns kicked off day three of the NFL Draft by making a pair of picks to beef up the trenches and a trade.
At 110, Cleveland added Cincinnati tackle James Hudson and Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai at 132 in Round 4.
“You can never have enough big dudes who can move,” Browns VP of player personnel Glenn Cook said of Hudson.
“He’s extremely athletic. His movements, his twitch, really his feet, just the combination of all those things really blend well with our wide-zone scheme.”
Hudson, who earned first-team All-America Athletic Conference honors in 2020, did not allow a sack in two seasons with the Bearcats according to Pro Football Focus.
“I play offensive line with a defensive line mentality,” Hudson said. “I just want to get after my guy.”
A Toledo, Ohio native, he’ll be able to stay close to friends and family as he begin his NFL career.
“It warms my heart to know I’m only going to be an hour and a half away from home,” Hudson said. “My family is going to be able to come see me whenever they want to. It’s a blessing. I’m excited to put on for the state of Ohio.”
Thomas switched from defensive tackle to offensive tackle after arriving at Michigan in 2018 before transferring to Cincinnati. To prepare for his new position Hudson jumped on YouTube and typed in Joe Thomas in the search bar and began studying the future Browns Hall of Famer.
“He’s one of the best offensive linemen to ever play the game,” Hudson said.
Togiai started seven of 33 career games for the Buckeyes and he won't have to leave the state.
“It’s great. I love the state of Ohio,” Togiai said.
“It’s exciting. I’m excited to be part of their organization. I’m so blessed to be picked by them in this draft and am excited to get up there and get to work.”
Togiai was named a 2020 second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection after recording 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks for the Buckeyes in seven games last season.
Andrew Berry sent the No. 113 pick along with No. 257 to Detroit in exchange for a Lions fifth-rounder Saturday, 153 overall, and a 2022 fourth-round pick
The Browns are also scheduled to select at 132 in the round and hold Nos. 169 in Round 5 and 211 in Round 6.
