NFL DRAFT

Cleveland Browns

Note: This story has been updated following the Browns‘ trade with the Texans and Jaguars on Thursday evening.

Cleveland Browns fans won’t have to wait long to see if their team picks its quarterback of the future.

After a 3-14 finish in 2024, the Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s a decent spot to be in for a quarterback-needy team in a draft class that is limited in its quarterback talent pool.

Outside of the second pick, Cleveland has seven other picks to use to significantly bolster its roster after a down year. While there are solid players on the roster like wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and edge rusher Myles Garrett, the Browns have a ways to go to contend in a difficult AFC North division.

Here’s everything to know about the Browns’ draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:

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Browns 2025 NFL Draft picks

• Round 1 – No. 5 overall (from Jacksonville): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
• Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: Cleveland drops three spots in the Hunter deal but still comes away with a unanimous All-American in 2024 and All-Big Ten performer the past two seasons. Graham (6-4, 296) isn’t a massive space eater but is a relentless interior penetrator who uses his strength, quickness and background as a wrestler to maximize his leverage. Is he the next Aaron Donald? (Well, who is?) The point is, Graham has a high floor and should be an outstanding pro even if he’s not necessarily a flashy, 10-sacks-per-year player – though he might become exactly that while playing alongside perennial All-Pro DE Myles Garrett for a team that’s effectively loading up for 2026 and beyond.
• Round 2 – No. 33 overall: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
• Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: One of the draft’s premier ‘backers and Butkus Award finalist despite not starting inside the first several weeks of the season – he still wound up with 136 tackles. At 6-3 and 242 pounds (with fantastic hair), he is a tackling machine and another nice addition to Cleveland’s defense following DT Mason Graham’s arrival Thursday. Schwesinger and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah should be a dynamic off-ball combination in Cleveland.
• Round 2 – No. 36 overall (from Jacksonville): Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
• Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: A six-foot, 221-pound hammer for the reigning national champions’ offense, the Ole Miss transfer just bulldozes opposing tacklers. A 1,000-yard rusher in all three of his FBS seasons, Judkins has 4.48 speed and found the end zone 14 times last year. He’s now the natural bellcow successor to Nick Chubb in Cleveland.
• Round 3 – No. 67 overall
• Round 3 – No. 94 overall (from Buffalo)
• Round 4 – No. 126 overall (from Jacksonville)
• Round 5 – No. 166 overall (from Buffalo via Houston)
• Round 6 – No. 192 overall (from Miami via Chicago)

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Browns 2025 NFL Draft needs

Quarterback

Team owner Jimmy Haslam has come out and said what’s been obvious for years: the trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson was “a swing and a miss.” The veteran is set to miss a large portion of 2025 – if not the whole season – after re-rupturing his Achilles during his recovery. Cleveland already traded for Kenny Pickett to improve its quarterbacks room, but they’re clearly among the teams most in need of a new franchise quarterback.

Running back

Nick Chubb is still a free agent as of the time of writing and has played 10 games in the last two years combined. The Browns still have Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong on their roster, but another upgrade could be coming in a draft that’s loaded with talent at the position.

Tight end

David Njoku is entering his age-29 season and just finished a season in which he missed multiple games due to a variety of injuries. The names behind him on the depth chart don’t inspire much confidence either after Jordan Akins hit free agency: Blake Whiteheart had six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown last year, while Tre’ McKitty and Brenden Bates have 27 career targets combined. There is some solid, Day 2 tight end talent Cleveland could look to pursue.

Browns 2025 NFL mock draft

Here’s what the Browns could the rest of the draft:

• Round 1 – No. 2: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State
• The Browns opt against quarterback at No. 2, instead opting for the top pass rusher in the class to form a potent duo with Myles Garrett. They’ll address quarterback later on in the draft and enjoy wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
• Round 2 – No. 33: QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
• Cleveland needs a starting quarterback in 2025 and Shough has the floor to do that. He’s a strong-armed passer with the tools to be an effective starter as a rookie. If not for his age (he’ll turn 26 during his rookie season), he’d be in more conversations for Round 1.
• Round 3 – No. 67: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
• Round 3 – No. 94: WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
• Round 4 – No. 104: TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
• Round 6 – No. 179: CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
• Round 6 – No. 192: DT Cam Jackson, Florida
• Round 6 – No. 200: Edge R.J. Oben, Notre Dame
• Round 6 – No. 216: RB Jordan James, Oregon
• Round 7 – No. 255: QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

2025 NFL Draft: Every team’s picks