Browns resist several offers, select Ogbah

Associated Press

BEREA

The Browns were tempted, but not enough to pull off another trade.

After wheeling and dealing their way around the first round of the NFL draft, Cleveland held onto its second-round pick — the first one made Friday — and selected Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah at No. 32 overall despite numerous offers.

And despite passing on several quarterbacks, the Browns finally snagged one in the third round.

“We had a first-round grade on him, so we were hopeful and really pleased leaving last night that he sat there waiting on us,” said Sashi Brown, the Browns vice president of football operations, said of Ogbah.

“We had some debate today about whether or not we would trade out, and frankly, the player was just too good to pass on any opportunities that were there,” Brown said.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ogbah, whose family immigrated to the United States when he was 9, gives the Browns a much-needed edge rusher to help a defense that recorded just 29 sacks in 2015.

“This guy brings a dynamic on defense,” said first-year coach Hue Jackson. “We say we want to be suffocating and we understand that we have to affect the quarterback in our division and throughout pro football and this guy has that element.”

With the first of three picks in the third round, the Browns selected another pass rusher, Penn State’s Carl Nassib. The 6-foot-7, 277-pounder led the nation with 15 1-2 sacks and won the Lombardi Award, given to college football’s top lineman.

Nassib was once told by former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien that he would never play in the pros.

“I always had dreams of playing in the NFL and a lot of people didn’t agree with that, but it never deterred me,” he said.

Nassib’s dedication was impressive, but nothing compared to the commitment of Shon Coleman, the Auburn offensive tackle selected later in the third round.

Coleman was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a freshman, underwent two years of chemotherapy and went on to start 25 games for the Tigers.

After taking Coleman, the Browns traded down in the third round and selected Southern California quarterback Cody Kessler — the sixth QB to go. Cleveland also received a fourth- and sixth-round pick, giving them eight choices today.

Ogbah, who was timed in 4.56 seconds in the 40 at the combine, had 13 sacks last season and 28 in three years with the Cowboys.

“I’m a relentless player and I love to get to the quarterback,” Ogbah said. “That’s how I play.”

Brown said one of the team’s top offseason priorities was to add speed — on both sides of the ball — and the team will count on Ogbah to raise its sack total and the blood pressure of opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.

Jackson also said Ogbah will be a candidate to play some linebacker.