Browns: Picking OL James Hudson in the 2021 NFL Draft was a good call

The Browns picked Cinncinati offensive linemen James Hudson to start the fourth round.

The Browns picked offensive linemen James Hudson out of Cincinnati to start the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Hudson was projected to go anywhere from the second to the fourth round based mostly on the needs of teams ahead of him. This marks the second prospect the Browns got who many could see as a “steal”.

He was a left tackle with the Bearcats, and at 6’5, 300 lbs, he’s going to be someone the team can really invest time into.

He joins Greg Newsome, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Anthony Schwartz as picks so far in the NFL Draft. The team’s balance approach to handling the defense and offense is a bit surprising, as many thought the first three or four picks would be about addressing the needs on the defensive side of the ball.

A sign of things to come.

The drafting of Hudson may be a sign of what the Browns may be seeing in a year or two, which is a turnover of the offensive line. J.C. Tretter and Joel Bitonio are in their 30’s, Jack Conklin is on a three-year deal and after the way he played with the Browns in his first year, he’s going to get a massive third contract. Wyatt Teller has issues staying on the field due to injuries and Jedrick Wills was one of the least efficient rookie tackles of the 2020 NFL Draft class.

So there is some future concern with the line, and what they’re going to do with it when deals and age start to play a factor. Addressing any potential issues with this draft is a smart move.

It also doesn’t help that prized backup Chris Hubbard will likely play his last games in Cleveland in 2021, so a tackle prospect isn’t the worst idea.