Cleveland Browns select Roderick Johnson at No. 160 overall

The Cleveland Browns added a potential candidate for the crowded right tackle position by selecting Florida State offensive lineman Roderick Johnson.

The Cleveland Browns literally drafted Cameron Erving’s replacement with the 160th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft as they selected Florida State offensive lineman Roderick Johnson.

Johnson and Erving, the Browns former center and current right tackle contender, will forever be linked in Florida State lore. In 2014, the Seminoles were struggling on the offensive line and their solution was to move Erving, their best offensive lineman, from left tackle to center. In his place at left tackle? None other than Johnson, who was then a freshman.

The two are now reunited in Cleveland. Interestingly, Johnson was drafted as an offensive tackle to help shore up the right tackle position. It is a small world after all.

Johnson, who is 6-foot-7 and 298 pounds, is a run-blocking tackle with long arms, an excellent punch and can move people consistently off the ball. He fits into head coach Hue Jackson’s offensive scheme as a right tackle power-run blocker.

However, Johnson needs to improve in pass protection. He will often play with his upper body out of sync with his lower body, and in the NFL he will need to improve his balance if he wants to start.

Like all linemen coming into the NFL, he is a longterm project who needs to learn the technical aspects of the game.

It should be interesting to watch the right tackle position battle this summer in training camp. With Shon Coleman, who the Browns drafted last year to play the position; Erving moving to tackle after his adventures with center; and the Browns adding Johnson, Erving’s college (and maybe professional) replacement to compete for the position, the right tackle spot is going to be one to watch.

Next: Browns select cornerback Howard Wilson

The Browns are currently scheduled to be back on the clock with pick No. 185.