BEREA, Ohio—The Browns began the draft with perceived needs on offense at running back, wide receiver, right tackle and quarterback. In their first three picks, they’ve addressed three of the four.
The Browns drafted their probable starting right tackle in Mitchell Schwartz with their first pick in the second round (37th overall). Schwartz said he’s ready to step in and fill the spot previously held by Tony Pashos.
“I played over 50 games in college and do feel prepared to come in right away and compete to play,” he said.
Schwartz (6-5, 318) played at California, where Browns Pro Bowl center Alex Mack hails from. Schwartz plays both guard and tackle and played in the Senior Bowl. Schwartz’s brother, Geoff, has played with the Panthers since 2008.
He feels his brother’s experience has helped him.
“I got kind of lucky with my brother going through recruiting and then the NFL,” he said. “He talks to me all the time and that gives me a little leg up in the process.”
Schwartz earned All-American third team and Super Sleeper Team honors from The NFL Draft Report. He started all 51 games he played at Cal with 35 starts at left tackle and 16 at right tackle. His versatility was a plus in coming to the Browns.
“Obviously, going to Cleveland with Joe Thomas (at left tackle), it’s probably going to be right tackle,” Schwartz said.
He earned All-Pac 12 honors and All Conference Academic honors in each of his four seasons. He registered 372 knockdowns with 54 touchdown resulting blocks during his career.
NFLDraftScout.com’s synopsis of Schwartz is that he’s a player with “average size, short area range but high effort blocker with NFL toughness, maturity.’
Schwartz played two seasons with Mack at Cal and is looking forward to reuniting with him on the line.
“I played with him my first two years at Cal and have stayed in touch with him,” he said. “It’s always good to have a former teammate there and someone you know when you get there.”Schwartz looks forward to being part of the Browns, who is termed a team on the rise.
“Obviously, the franchise is looking to get better,” he said. “The draft is part of the process and the talent is getting better the last couple years. It’s exciting to be with an up and coming team.”
