BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Cleveland Browns finally got in on the 2024 NFL Draft Friday night and they picked a pair of college rivals whose collision last fall resulted in a devastating injury.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Day 2.
Homecoming for Hall – Andrew Berry added depth to the middle of the defensive line with his first pick Friday night selecting Michael Hall Jr. out of Ohio State with the 54th overall pick, 21st in the second round. “When you look at how we play the position and how we ask our guys to get off the ball and how athletic they need to be and how quick they need to be, that's what Michael is going to bring to the table,” assistant general manager and vice president of football operations Catherine Raiche said. “He is about to be the engine of this defense and I'm not going to use the words that they used, but let's just say ‘mess things up’ in the front there. So I think that's what he's going to bring to the table.” Hall, a Streetsboro product, was named third team All-Big Ten after playing in 12 games with seven starts in 2023 for the Buckeyes where he was credited with 28 pressures. Hall believes his game will translate well to the NFL. “I would just say my explosiveness and my get off, just having my toolbox, just learning that from Larry Johnson, my position coach at Ohio State,” Hall said. “I mean, he developed me great into a player. Just understanding different moves that I was already good at and just working off that and just having a good foundation and just able to build off that.” In 28 games in Columbus over three years, Hall totaled 45 tackles, 10 for a loss, 6.0 sacks, three QB hits and a forced fumble. As for playing for the Browns, he’s looking forward to playing in front of the hometown fans. “I'm not one of those guys who's going to run away from the pressure. I run to it, head on,” Hall said. “So it's going to be a lot of pressure on me playing in my hometown. A lot of people going to have a lot of expectations, but at the end of the day, as a player, I still have demands that I have to meet expectations. So I'm going to hold myself very high on that and hold myself accountable and just got to be the best way that I can be.”
Standing pat – The Browns fielded multiple calls as their war room phones were ringing almost nonstop prior to making the Hall pick Friday night, but ultimately they chose to stay at 54. “20 minutes before the pick our phone started ringing and really didn't stop,” assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Glenn Cook said. “So we had to really work through what we wanted to do there, looking through all the options and I think ultimately it came down to just the talent. He's a really talented young man. The way I would describe him is a shapeshifter, the way he can move his body, the way he can attack the quarterback. I think probably next to Andrew, the most happiest person was Jim Schwartz. Just with our attacking style, he really fits our model and our style.”
Michigan man – The Browns used the No. 85 overall pick in round 3 on Michigan guard Zak Zinter. Zinter was a first-team AP All-American, first team All-Big Ten in 2023. A finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy or Academic Heisman, Zinter started 42 of 45 games, including 12 last season for Michigan. Zinter suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the Wolverines win over Ohio State last November causing him to miss the Big Ten chapionship game and College Football Playoff.
Summing it up – Browns executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry seemed pretty happy to be able to select Hall and Zinter Friday night. “With Mike [Hall Jr.], he's really tailor made for our attack front,” Berry said. “He's explosive, he's quick, he can rush the passer. He's long and he plays really with a very high motor. He's really the quintessential three technique in our defense and for us, pass rushers will always come at a premium, especially those that can affect the pocket from inside. And we think that that's something that Mike will be able to do along our front. So we're really excited to keep him home, so to speak and think his skillset and passion really matches perfectly for our organization. And then with Zak [Zinter], I think you guys all know that we'll be a team that invests in the trenches, invest in the O-line. Zak, we just thought was a rock solid all around player his entire career at Michigan. He was really part of really the heartbeat of their culture when we met with him throughout the pre-draft process. Very smart, professional, passionate about football and I think his blue collar mentality will really fit well within our offensive line room. So we're very excited to add both guys to the team tonight.”
Twist of fate – In an ironic twist, it was Hall that accidentally landed on Zinter’s leg, leading to the multiple fractures during 'The Game.' “I mean, everything comes full circle, I guess, huh,” Zinter said. The horrific injury energized the Wolverines, who went on to beat Ohio State and ultimately their first outright national championship since 1948, as running back Blake Corum scored on the next play and held up a “6-5” in Zinter’s honor. Zinter holds no grudges and is now looking forward to working with Hall in Cleveland. “I've talked to him once on a visit together, but he is a great dude and it's football,” Zinter said. “Stuff happens when we're playing in the trenches, but I'm fired up and I think everything happens for a reason. So just kind of a full circle moment for that to happen. And now we're going to be teammates, so I'm fired up to get there and get to work with him at practice for sure.” Zinter expects to be able to start working out with the Browns this spring. “I’ve been saying all along that this is the best worst-case scenario,” Zinter said. “I mean, it’s just bone. Bone heals easy, way better than ligaments in the knee or the ankle.”
Meat and potatoes – For all the talk about the Browns going with a receiver or tight end on Day 2, Berry shored up the trenches instead. “I can't help it if people don't believe what I say every time I'm up here before the draft,” Berry said. “So I mean I think I'm pretty clear in terms of our philosophy in that regard. I can't help it if people don't pay attention.”
Remaining picks – Round 5, No. 156; Round 6, No. 206; Round 7: Nos 227 and 243.
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