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Browns: Rookie Nick Harris must step up after J.C. Tretter news

By Cory Kinnan

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Nick Harris #56 of the Washington Huskies lines up for play in the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Nick Harris #56 of the Washington Huskies lines up for play in the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Fifth-round pick Nick Harris must step up for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns made a conscious effort to upgrade their offensive line this offseason. First they landed former Tennessee Titans’ right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency, then they landed Alabama left tackle Jedrick Wills with their first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. An underrated addition, however, was the selection of Washington center Nick Harris in the fifth round.

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Looking like a wise investment, the Browns will need to rely on Harris perhaps sooner than they anticipated. Today in media availability, it was revealed starting center J.C. Tretter had undergone a minor knee procedure, but head coach Kevin Stefanski was unwilling to put a timetable on his recovery.

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Even before the news on Tretter, the Browns were dealt with a bit more unfortunate news as two of their offensive guards opted out of the season, including second-year player Drew Forbes who had a chance to start. Given Harris’ athletic ability to move laterally, it is a big asset to have him as a potential depth piece at offensive guard as well as center.

More on Nick Harris’ plate right away

While in a perfect world the Browns would have loved to have eased Harris into any sort of playing time given his status as a day-three pick, they no longer have that luxury. On paper, Harris is a great fit in Stefanski’s wide-zone offensive scheme and has been seen as the heir apparent to the aging Tretter. However, this early into his rookie season was not the intended timeline.

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A two-time first team All-Pac 12 center, Harris will now look to carry over that success to the next level and with the Browns. With the first game in less than a month, Harris will now look to prepare as the starter should Tretter not be ready to go. At the very least, Harris is getting valuable reps as the starting center in training camp.

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