Cleveland Browns bolster OT depth with James Hudson from Cincinnati

A former Wolverine achieved stardom as a Cincinnati Bearcat and now he’s the newest Cleveland Browns draft pick.

The Cleveland Browns have selected University of Cincinnati Bearcats offensive tackle James Hudson with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Thus, the Browns managed to stay in-state.

Hudson has average size for an offensive tackle, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 302 pounds according to his Pro Day measurements.

Hudson started his collegiate career at Michigan, but had a falling out with coach Jim Harbaugh. Eventually, Hudson’s mother had a meeting with Harbaugh and it did not go well. Recollections of the meeting differ, but let’s just say by the end of the meeting it was clear to all that Hudson would be better off at another school.

Hudson transferred to Cincinnati from Michigan and got rave reviews for his performance for UC. Recall that there was talk for a while that UC might qualify for the college football playoffs, though that ultimately did not work out. Hudson quickly became a mainstay at left tackle on the offensive line. Are you concerned that things did not work for him at Michigan?

That may actually be a bit of a plus. If you look at the career of Donovan Peoples-Jones, he is much more impressive as a Cleveland Brown than as a Wolverine. Somehow, offensive players just don’t seem to maximize their potential at The School Up North these days.

In any case, the Browns are getting a tackle who ascended to college football stardom but with only one season of playing experience. He’s probably a year away. He may not play left tackle in the pros, especially with big Jed Wills in front of him.

That’s okay. His rookie year is going to be mainly a developmental year, but the Browns may be looking to bring along a younger lineman for the next few seasons, even if he is a backup for now.