The Cleveland Browns open the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. Most expect the team to address the holes on the offensive side of the ball, while many are talking about the possibilities of QB Shedeur Sanders going somewhere today. (I had a conversation with myself about him here, even.)

Cleveland has trade leverage with the No. 33 pick today, but could be looking to land a home run selection to help their offense as well.

What if, to add to DT Mason Graham from the first round, the Browns instead add to the Myles Garrett-led defense? Well, we’ve got the two-round mock draft for you.

There is a lot of defensive talent still left on the board heading into Day 2, which could be tempting for Cleveland. The Philadelphia Eagles had a great defense with a very good offense, perhaps building one side this year and the other next year is the play instead of a little here and a little there?

Two players I do not expect to be drafted by the Browns on Friday are CB Will Johnson and DE Mike Green. Johnson has knee issues and is a much better fit for a zone scheme, while Green has off-the-field issues that have caused some teams to pull him off their boards or drop him multiple rounds.

(Stating those reasons so clearly could mean both are in Cleveland by the fifth pick on Friday.)

Browns Day 2 Mock Draft – Building the Defense

Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator was used for this exercise

#33 – DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

A menace coming off the edge, Ezeiruaku is SB Nation’s 17th-rated player overall and second-best prospect (behind Johnson) going into Day 2. Adding another pass rush specialist will complete a dominant front four in Cleveland.

#36 – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Emmanwori put on a show at the NFL combine and could slide in next to Grant Delpit to give DC Jim Schwartz a versatile pair of defenders at safety. If Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is healthy and ready to play, the three create almost interchangeable players who can do everything, chase down everyone and make plays all over the field.

#67 – CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

Porter is a converted wide receiver with upside for days. He will need a year or two before he can step in as a starting cornerback, but will immediately be a force on special teams and can come in as the fourth or fifth cornerback as needed without a huge drop-off and a whole lot of upside in 2025.

#94 – LB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

Partially to round out getting a player at each positional group and partially because we don’t know the status of JOK, Bassa is a great fit. A lean linebacker, Bassa can close sideline to sideline and arrive with some pop. Not the thumper in the middle of the defense, but a playmaker.

Adding those four players to the Browns defense, assuming JOK is healthy, creates a dynamic and deep unit:

Defensive Line

Starters: Myles Garrett, Mason Graham, Michael Hall Jr., Isaiah McGuire

DE Depth: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Alex Wright, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Julian Okwara

DT Depth: Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris, Ralph Holley, Jowon Biggs

Linebackers

Starters: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush

Depth: Jerome Baker, Mohamoud Diabate, Jeffrey Bassa, Winston Reid

Cornerbacks

Starters: Denzel Ward, MJ Emerson, Greg Newsome II

Depth: Cameron Mitchell, Myles Harden, Nik Needham, Darian Porter, Anthony Kendall

Safeties

Starters: Grant Delpit, Nick Emmanwori

Depth: Ronnie Hickman, Christopher Edmons, Trey Dean III

While it seems unlikely, how would you feel about the Browns loading up their defense this year and working on adding to their offense in 2026? What do you think about Ezeiruaku, Emmanwori, Porter and Bassa as options to do just that?