BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns made a trade to move back into the third round and selected Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper.
The Browns acquired the No. 96 overall choice in a multi-pick deal with New England and selected Cooper, a 6-foot-3, 293-pounder who had 31½ sacks for the Cougars.
Cooper can play tackle or defensive end, and he gives the Browns added depth up front. Cleveland’s defensive line was decimated by injuries last season, contributing to the Browns having the NFL’s worst rushing defense. Cleveland also lost tackle Ahtyba Rubin and Jabaal Sheard in free agency.
In exchange for the 96th pick and the Patriots’ seventh-round pick, the Browns gave New England picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.
The Browns used their first pick — No. 12 overall — to take Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton.
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