Browns select hard-hitting Oregon safety T.J. Ward in 2nd round of NFL draft

Browns take Oregon safety Ward in 2nd round

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have made their secondary a primary priority.

Despite the obvious need for a future quarterback, the Browns did not select Colt McCoy or Jimmy Clausen with their second-round pick and chose Oregon safety T.J. Ward with the No. 38 selection on Friday. Ward, who walked on with the Ducks, is a hard hitter who could immediately move into Cleveland’s starting lineup.

The 5-foot-10, 211-pounder is the second defensive back selected by the Browns, who took Florida cornerback Joe Haden in the first round on Thursday.

“He’s just a super tough kid, who makes a lot of plays in the run game,” Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. “We think he can cover. (On film) He’s lighting people up and that’s an intriguing thing for us.”

The selection of Ward was made in New York by Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.

“To hear him say my name was pretty wonderful,” Ward said on a conference call. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life.”

Heckert said the Browns are hoping to find a player who can come in and compete for a starting job.

“We want football players who are tough and smart,” Heckert said.

Heckert likes both Clausen and McCoy, but felt the Browns couldn’t pass up on Ward, who can play both safety positions.

Ward missed five games last season because of an ankle injury. However, he came back and ended his college career by making 10 tackles in Oregon’s loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Ward’s father, Terrell, was drafted and played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Browns have eight picks left: three picks in the third round, three in the fifth and two in the sixth.