BEREA [url=https://www.brownsfanshop.com/Christian-Kirksey-Jersey]Christian Kirksey Color Rush Jersey[/url] , Ohio (AP) — Months ago, Desmond Harrison was confident he’d replace Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas.The Browns only realized it in the past few days.An undrafted rookie with a checkered past, Harrison will open the season as Cleveland’s starting left tackle — a position held down by Thomas, a future Hall of Famer, for more than a decade — on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.“I’m replacing Joe, so I know how big it is,” Harrison said.It’s a remarkable jump for Harrison, who last season was pile-driving players at Division II Georgia State after not playing for three years following his dismissal at Texas.To Harrison, it’s just football on a larger stage.“It’s a big leap,” Harrison said Friday after coach Hue Jackson announced yet another transformation to his offensive line. “Kind of more people at the game, stuff like that. So that’s probably like the only difference.”Well, there’s also blocking Cam Heyward and the other Steelers, who led the NFL with 57 sacks a season.But you gotta admire the rookie’s swagger.Harrison’s ascension up the depth chart is the latest wrinkle up front for the Browns, who have been tinkering with the left side of their offensive line for weeks. The team recently slid left guard Joel Bitonio to tackle and plugged rookie Austin Corbett in at guard.However, after four preseason games, Jackson and his coaching staff didn’t like the line’s makeup. Determined to put the “best five guys on the field,” the Browns decided to go with the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Harrison who looks like he was engineered in a laboratory for left tackles.“He looks like a left tackle in this league,” Bitonio said.Jackson said the 24-year-old Harrison has played like one.“He is very talented,” Jackson said. “He has earned it. He competed. When you put all of the different variables out there of what we could have done or would have done [url=https://www.brownsfanshop.com/JC-Tretter-Jersey]https://www.brownsfanshop.com/JC-Tretter-Jersey[/url] , and you look at it and you watch the practice tape and the game, he is the best left tackle for us to play right now.“Obviously, Joel is the best left guard. We feel like we are heading in the right direction by far. I agonized over this decision because it is a huge decision. At the same time, I have confidence one, in our coaches, and in the player. He has worked hard. He wants this opportunity. He has demonstrated that.”Harrison took a unique, unorthodox path to the NFL.A big-time high school recruit, Harrison committed to Auburn but didn’t have the grades and started at Contra Costa (Calif.) Community College. He played two seasons of JUCO ball before transferring to Texas, where he played in seven games in 2013. But after reportedly failing multiple drug tests, he was suspended several times and eventually left.He didn’t play in 2015 and 2016, explaining he “was just getting myself right mentally.”Harrison started nine games last season at West Georgia, compiling a dominant highlight tape that looks like excerpts pulled from the movie “Blindside.” He missed the Senior Bowl because of a sprained knee and failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.He admitted the drug test probably cost him being drafted, but the Browns signed him as a free agent in May.From the moment he arrived at rookie mini-camp, Harrison said he knew he would take over for Thomas, the 10-time Pro Bowler who retired in March following a remarkable career that included never missing a snap — 10,363 straight — until an injury ended his 2017 season.How did Harrison know?“Just how confident I am in myself,” he said.Bitonio likes everything about Harrison.“It’s obviously going to be a big jump Sunday when you’re playing in front of 60,000 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a vaunted defense, but I think he’s ready [url=https://www.brownsfanshop.com/Ozzie-Newsome-Jersey]Ozzie Newsome Jersey[/url] ,” Bitonio said. “I think the coaches and upper management have made that decision and they trust him and they know he’s going to get better every rep that he’s out there to improve. He’s a confident, kid, though.“I know he feels like he belongs out there.” ROUND TWO potential draftee has an extremely high ceiling" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesDawgs EDTThe defense should consume much of this year’s draft, and GM John Dorsey needs to make sure each pick is one that will help this team contend for the AFC North Division title. Since the Browns do not possess a first-round pick this year, their selection in the second stanza is critical.Expect one of the draft picks in all likelihood at some point to be spent on a DT for added depth and to work towards a starting position. The Browns have already traded DE Emmanuel Ogbah and realize that a good defense will use multiple defensive linemen continually throughout the game to keep fresh legs on the field. Gerald Willis could very well be that player and should be available in Round 2 with pick number 49.A former five-star recruit, he originally signed with Florida, but had issues with several coaches and teammates. As a freshman, he was involved in a fight over a pair of cleats with Gators’ QB Skyler Mornhinweg to which the signalcaller required stitches. He was also suspended twice for undisclosed reasons. In another incident in the game against rival Florida State, QB Jameis Winston of the Seminoles had scrambled and gained minimal yardage and then darted out-of-bounds into the Florida bench. As Winston decelerated he approached two Florida players standing on the sideline, one being Willis. Next, Willis hauls off and shoves and then punches Winston with both forearms right in the facemask. Willis was ejected and his team was assessed a 15-yard personal foul.Florida in due course released him fundamentally, and then he transferred to the University of Miami. Willis’ playing growth was stalled in 2017 when he took the entire season off at Miami with allegations of character issues. But once he returned, he was a completely different player and possessed new leadership skills plus a good work ethic previously missed. Everyone associated with him - especially his Miami coaches - all rant about the change in his attitude and life in general. The result was a very productive 2018 season peppered with a relentless behavior. This player is a force and does not miss tackles.Specifics: College: MiamiHeight: 6’-4”Weight: 300 pounds 40-time: 4.95Career Tackles: 33 Career Tackles for Loss: 18 Career Sacks: 1.5 Career Forced Fumbles: 1Positives:First-step explosiveness & burstSwim move his forte’Big enough to push through weaker blockersNatural big-man strengthWill chase down plays from backsideQuick feet and excellent change of directionSure tacklerNasty playerAfter sitting out 2017 season exceptional player2018 Second-Team All-AmericanNegatives: Needs to stay lower for more leverageImprove hand usageWork on more flexibilityBetter balance controlOff-field issues include a transfer from Florida, one-game suspension for violation of team rules, partial MCL tear in 2016, took a leave of absence for the entire 2017 college season, dislocated finger 2018Expert Draft Site AnalysisCBSsports.comDo you think Willis’ off-field issues would prevent you from drafting him and adding him to the defensive line rotation?