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Browns players pumped about possibly drafting Bradley Chubb

The Browns have been high on defensive end Bradley Chubb throughout the draft process. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

BEREA, Ohio -- The idea of Bradley Chubb joining the Cleveland Browns defense seems like an appealing one to players already on the team.

“I think that would be nasty,” linebacker Chris Kirksey said of adding Chubb via the draft’s fourth overall pick to a defensive line that already includes Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah.

“I hope they get all three of us on the field and wreak havoc,” Garrett said.

Chubb’s skills are evident, and the Browns have been high on him throughout the draft process. General manager John Dorsey called Chubb an “unbelievable” prospect last month at the NFL spring meetings.

Coach Hue Jackson admitted the idea of pairing Chubb with Garrett as bookends on the defensive front is more than appealing.

“You kind of play that scenario game with all these different guys,” Jackson said.

The idea of taking Chubb was not considered likely for the Browns until the Colts traded out of the third pick. The Jets acquired the pick to draft a quarterback. If the Giants take a quarterback or running back second, Chubb would be there for the Browns.

Chubb left North Carolina State with school records for tackles for loss (60) and sacks (26). The former record holder: Mario Williams, a No. 1 overall pick by Houston in 2006.

As a senior, Chubb had 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and winner of the Nagurski (best defensive player) and Hendricks (best defensive end) awards.

Dorsey said Garrett and Chubb are similar, but play differently.

“Myles is such an athletic ... to me, he’s more like Julius Peppers in terms of his movement skills and his length and how he plays,” Dorsey said. “Chubb plays the game a little bit differently, but he’s still an unavailable defensive prospect for this draft.”

Chubb has caught the eye of the Giants as well. Picking second, they are said to be interested in a quarterback, running back Saquon Barkley or Chubb.

“[Chubb’s] a dynamic pass-rusher and we all know how important that is to a team to have guys with his skill set," Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. "He's a really outstanding player."

Shurmur pointed out one key fact about Chubb, which also relates to the Browns. He said Chubb can play in a five-man front or a four-man. With Ogbah and Garrett already on the roster, coordinator Gregg Williams could design many creative ways to use all three.

The biggest defensive play in the Super Bowl came when Brandon Graham sacked Tom Brady and forced a late fumble. On that play, the Eagles had three defensive ends on the field.

Ogbah missed the final six games of the 2017 season after hurting his foot, but when he and Garrett were on the field together and Garrett was at his (relative) healthiest for two games, they provided serious outside pressure.

In the four minutes that Garrett, Ogbah and linebacker Jamie Collins were on the field together last season, they had six plays together. Ogbah and Garrett pressured Matt Stafford on the first, leading to a Garrett sack. On the second, Ogbah tackled Ameer Abdullah for a loss of 6. On the next possession, Garrett forced an interception.

“We have a good tandem here with me and Emmanuel,” Garrett said. “Before he got hurt, we had something going that was pretty special. I hope to keep that going.”

But pass-rushers are like quarterbacks and cornerbacks: A team can never have enough good ones. Chubb would give the Browns a young, developing and impressive trio.

“With Emmanuel Ogbah, Myles Garrett, guys like that that can pass-rush, get to the quarterback, adding another player ... that’s dominant,” Kirksey said.

“As a linebacker, you always want pass-rushers. That’d be something that’s fun.”