Browns bolster offensive line, RB
BEREA, Ohio — The massive hole on the left side of the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line has shrunk a little.
Needing to find a replacement at tackle after the retirement of perennial Pro Bowl pick Joe Thomas, the Browns used the first pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night on Nevada’s Austin Corbett, a walk-on who turned into a four-year college starter and is versatile enough to play three positions.
The 307-pounder is close friends with Browns guard Joel Bitonio, who played alongside Thomas for several years and told Corbett about the person and player he could replace.
“As far as it goes in being ‘the next Joe Thomas,’ that is just a rare, rare human there,” Corbett said. “If I can learn from him and follow in his footsteps, that’s just amazing.”
Two picks after getting Corbett, the Browns used the No. 35 overall selection on bruising Browns’ draft choice Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Indians’ game against the Mariners on Friday. Georgia running back Nick Chubb, who ran for 1,345 yards last season, two years after suffering a knee injury.
The pick was announced by Browns legend Jim Brown, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
“I have no questions about this guy,” said player of personnel director Alonzo Highsmith, who compared him to former All-Pro Jamal Lewis. “Just give him the ball.”
Chubb is another needed playmaker and he joins a running back group that includes
free-agent signee Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, Cleveland’s best offensive player last season.
At 227 pounds, Chubb can run inside and he is quick enough to turn the corner for a big gain. He scored 15 touchdowns last season finished his career with 4,769 yards, second in SEC history to Herschel Walker.
“I’ve been a big fan of Chubb for a long time,” Highsmith said. “One thing about SEC running backs is when you play running back in the SEC, you have to be able
to create between the tackles with your feet and you have to be able to play a physical style of football, and Nick Chubb exemplifies all of that in his running style.
“Not only is he a great football player, he’s a tremendous person, tremendous individual, tremendous leader and he exemplifies what we’re trying to build here in Cleveland. We want real guys. We want guys that like football.”
Corbett fits that mold as well.
He was undersized when enrolling at Nevada, but inspired by his brother who played at San Diego State, he worked his way into getting a scholarship and eventually being drafted by the Browns.