Browns select Washington C Nick Harris with No. 160 pick in 2020 NFL Draft (original) (raw)

The Browns on Saturday selected Washington C Nick Harris in the fifth round with the No. 160 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Harris was a three-year starter with the Huskies and earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors as a junior and senior. He started at right guard in 2017 before moving to center for his final two seasons.

"We are really excited to add Nick to the team," Browns scout Adam Al-Khayyal said. "There is a really interesting story with him. He is a guy who came into Washington, probably you could say under recruited, went to one of the premier programs in the PAC-12 and really in the nation and all he did was work his way into the starting lineup as a true freshman and then start his final three years – one at guard and two at center. He is a guy who has had a really productive career and adds some good depth to the roster and a chance to compete."

Al-Khayyal said Harris likely will begin his Browns career as a center. Harris said he'd be up for whatever the Browns wanted.

"Anywhere I can start playing football will be good," Harris said.

According to Pro Football Focus, Harris allowed just two sacks in 837 pass-block snaps since 2018.

"I think he fits that smart, tough accountable mantra that (Head Coach) Kevin (Stefanski) and (Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager) Andrew (Berry) have been hitting on throughout this process," Al-Khayyal said. "He is a guy who came in and earned his way every step of the way. He did not redshirt as a freshman. They pulled his redshirt because they couldn't keep them off the field really. He is a guy who really worked his way and worked for everything he has. He came in and was in the 270s as a true freshman. He is up in the 300 range now. He has done a lot throughout the course of his career to improve every step of the way every year."

Harris joins an interior offensive line group that includes Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio and veteran C JC Tretter.

"I definitely watch their film," Harris said. "I watch tons of NFL tape. It does not matter who, it does not matter what team. I just like watching how those guys play at the next level. They are just sound players. The technique is always on point and that is definitely something I have taken from both of those guys. And they play very well together. You need to have that continuity as an o-line. I am more than excited to learn and pick their brains, see how they go about not just on the field, but how they carry themselves off the field and what I can learn from that."

The Browns acquired the No. 160 pick in a trade Friday with the Colts, when they moved back from No. 41 to No. 44.

The Browns have one pick (No. 187) remaining in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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