BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Browns were tempted, but not enough to pull off another trade.
After wheeling and dealing their way around the first round of the NFL draft, Cleveland held onto its second-round pick — the first one made Friday — and selected Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah at No. 32 overall despite numerous trade offers.
"We had a first-round grade on him, so we were hopeful and really pleased leaving last night that he sat there waiting on us," said Sashi Brown, the Browns vice president of football operations, who traded down twice in the first round. "We had some debate today about whether or not we would trade out, and frankly, the player was just too good to pass on any opportunities that were there."
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ogbah, whose family immigrated to the United States when he was 9, gives the Browns a much-needed edge rusher to help a defense that recorded just 29 sacks in 2015.
"This guy brings a dynamic on defense," said first-year coach Hue Jackson. "We say we want to be suffocating and we understand that we have to affect the quarterback in our division and throughout pro football and this guy has that element."
Ogbah, who was timed in 4.56 seconds in the 40 at the combine, had 13 sacks last season and 28 in three years with the Cowboys.
"I'm a relentless player and I love to get to the quarterback," Ogbah said. "That's how I play."
Brown said one of the team's top offseason priorities was to add speed — on both sides of the ball — and the team will count on Ogbah to raise its sack total and the blood pressure of opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.
Jackson also said Ogbah will be a candidate to play some linebacker.
"There's not a lot of guys at 270-plus pounds who can do what Emmanuel can do, period," Brown said. "He's flexible. He can win with power and with speed. That is a rare combination, it fits our scheme in the 3-4. We expect Emmanuel to come in and compete to be one of our full-time three-down linebackers on the edge and to create a little bit of pressure, so people have to think about what's coming on that edge."
Ogbah did not visit the Browns or workout for them and said he didn't know the team had strong interest in him. He modeled his game after Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
The Browns, too, are confident they're getting quality people in Ogbah and Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman, their first-round pick.
Following the numerous issues they had with former quarterback Johnny Manziel, the team has made character a greater priority.
"It's an important, really central aspect of what we're going to build here," Brown said. "We want guys who are passionate about football, but also good citizens, good members of the Cleveland community and good teammates. Emmanuel and Corey both are that. They're hyper-competitive guys who aren't afraid to be coached hard and want to get better and be great."
The Browns entered Friday with 11 picks, including three in the third round.
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