Nov 29, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) is tackled by Washington State Cougars defensive end Xavier Cooper (96) during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns added three more players to the roster during the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
With their final selection of the evening, general manager Ray Farmer selected Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper.
The 6-foot-3, 293-pound Cooper is a player born to play in the AFC North Division. He stared 25 games over the past two seasons and totaled 23 tackles for loss during that time. Cooper joins first-round pick Danny Shelton as additions to the Browns’ defensive line.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
“We’re adding two guys who we’ve targeted for a long time,” head coach Mike Pettine told the team’s website. “As most D-line rooms are, it’s a rotation. The one encouraging thing is you look at some of these guys that are playing in college, like Shelton for example, that are playing against the spread, you’re finding college D-linemen that are playing 80, 90 plays a game, whereas now you can get into a rotation in the NFL and they are that much more effective when they’re not taking as many reps.”
Cooper closed out his collegiate career with the eighth-most tackles for loss in school history (31.5) and 13 sacks.
“I really felt like he was a difference maker,” general manager Ray Farmer told the team’s website. “The guy played with an unbelievable motor. He ran and hustled to the ball, showed that first step quick explosion to beat block and get up the field. I think the guy has got potential to be really, really good NFL player.”
Cooper is still a bit raw, but with the depth the Browns have built along the defensive line they don’t need him to be a starter, giving him time to find his place in the rotation.
Grade: C