After trading down earlier in the third round, the Cleveland Browns selected DT John Hughes from Cincinnati. Listed at about 6-feet-3-inches, he was listed at No. 250 on the ESPN Big Board and was a bit of a surprise for most people at this selection.
Of course, the Browns picked DT Phil Taylor in the first round last year after trading down, and also have a stud in DT Ahtyba Rubin. Hughes will provide immediate depth on the line, but who knows if more value was elsewhere, even if Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu recently was taken off the board and likely was a top target.
Hughes is listed as being quick with good run skills. He has a powerful upper body, but endurance and conditioning are listed as possible future concerns. He appeared in 50 games at the college level, starting 25 of them, but a right knee injury prevented him from participating in the combine and in his pro day.
He picked up 51 tackles total during his senior season at Cincinnati, including 12.5 for loss and five sacks. Likely, this will be another unpopular pick with the Browns fans as the team completes its selections through the first two days of the draft.
[Related: Browns Trade No. 67 Pick to Broncos]
