John

Hughes

A bit of late riser, Hughes was a two-year starter with 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior. Although he had trouble consistently winning one-on-one matchups, Hughes does have a quick first step with the range to make plays across the line. He projects as a rotational lineman in Cleveland.

Although the Cincinnati coaching staff believed Hughes turned the corner in the second half of his senior season, they were only hoping that he would be a late-round pick. Reach though he may have been, the Browns envision him as a rotational tackle capable of spelling Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin for 20-25 snaps per game.

Hughes and his camp were apparently stunned when the Browns took him 87th overall. Hughes’ high school coach didn’t even think he’d be drafted. The Akron Beacon-Journal called the Hughes pick “baffling” with receivers such as Chris Givens, T.Y. Hilton, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, and Nick Toon still on the board.

Coordinator Dick Jauron believes Taylor and Rubin played way too many snaps last year. Hughes is valued for his versatility, as he can play both the one-technique and the three-technique. The third round still seems like a reach for an admitted backup on a team that lost a dozen games last year.

If so, he could easily end up not playing in 2012. Taylor will almost certainly begin the year on the PUP list, but could be transferred to injured reserve soon after Week 6 if Cleveland’s season is already in the tank. Browns beat writer Tony Grossi expects Scott Paxson to open OTAs as Taylor’s fill-in, but for rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn to push for snaps.

The Browns drafted Hughes as a rotational tackle, but with Phil Taylor (torn pectoral) expected to open the season on PUP, Hughes and Billy Winn each have a chance to start. Browns GM Tom Heckert indicated he doesn’t feel compelled to sign a veteran. Currently, Scott Paxson is working as the first-team nose tackle. Rubin is the starting three technique.

Veteran Scott Paxson had spent the offseason and early camp running with the first team. It’s a good sign that Hughes, a pick questioned by the draftnik community, is impressing the coaching staff as Phil Taylor’s (pectoral) early-season replacement. The Browns defense will remain a godsend for opposing fantasy backs, however.

After first trying out for the NFL in 2006, Paxson spent time on the practice squads of the Steelers and Packers. He played all 16 games for the Browns last season, albeit in a reserve role. Paxson appears to have the early edge on rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn to fill in for starter Phil Taylor (torn pectoral).

Phil Taylor (pectoral) is out indefinitely, leaving a sizable hole next to Ahtyba Rubin. Scott Paxson ran with the starters for most of minicamp, but he’s just a backup-caliber journeyman. GM Tom Heckert sees Hughes as a run-stuffer.

Winn played 65-of-95 snaps (68.4 percent) compared to 33 for third-rounder John Hughes. Winn more than held his own for a surprisingly stout defensive front, led by a dominant Rubin, that was in the Eagles backfield throughout the game.