The Sports Xchange

BEREA, Ohio — Teams always want to get stronger up the middle and that is exactly what the Cleveland Browns did with their two first-round picks on Thursday night in the NFL Draft.

General manager Ray Farmer used the 12th pick on nose tackle Danny Shelton from Washington and the 19th on center/guard Cameron Erving from Florida State.

“I like (Shelton’s) size,” Farmer said. “He’s an interior run stopper. He has girth, quickness, agility and strength to clog up the middle and be an impact player and press the pocket from the interior.”

The Browns were last in run defense last year. They game up 2,265 yards rushing, yielded 4.5 yards per carry and gave up 13 rushing touchdowns.

“(This) means everything to me,” Shelton said in a conference call from Chicago. “The fact I was able to bring out my family, too, is just crazy to think it’s finally over. I’m going to be leaving for Cleveland tomorrow morning. As soon as I got that phone call, I was smiling and I’m still smiling. It’s crazy to think I’m going to go out and be part of the Dawg Pound.

“As far as defense, I’m expecting the same thing as far as producing as a run stopper and I’m also going to add to the pass rushing game. Those are the two main things I’m going to focus on this offseason.”

Browns head coach Mike Pettine said Shelton reminds him of Haloti Ngata, who played for the Ravens when Pettine was a linebackers coach in Baltimore.

“You’re in every game when you’re solid defensively,” Pettine said. “That obviously will be a cornerstone. We were thrilled we were able to add a player where value meant need. We’re thrilled Danny’s here.”

Shelton was an academic All-American and a football All-American at Washington. He played 39 straight games for the Huskies during the last three years. He had 93 tackles, 16 1/2 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2014.

Erving started 27 straight games at left tackle in 2012 and 2013. He started the 2014 season at left tackle and moved to center for the final five games because of an injury situation.

“Teams find a lot of ways to win games,” Farmer said. “From my perspective, I think our competitive advantage with offense is the offensive line. We took the guy we think has the most position versatility and skill set for who we want to be.”

Erving said the transition from tackle to center went smoothly. He said he will be comfortable wherever the Browns decide he should play.

“There isn’t a position I like better,” Erving said in a conference call from Chicago. “I like to play offensive line. I like to play ball. That’s not just a politically correct answer. That’s my honest answer. I’m going to give 100 percent whatever I do.”

Erving and the Browns have not discussed what position he will play. He could challenge John Greco for a starting job at right guard.