Cleveland Browns (Last Year: 3-14)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Browns don’t have a viable quarterback for the 2025 season, so they’ll need to find one at some point. They plan on drafting Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at No. 2 overall, so they’ll have to find their next signal-caller with their next selection. The Browns also need to find a backfield partner for this new quarterback, given that Nick Chubb is gone. Jedrick Wills is gone as well, so Cleveland must acquire a new left tackle to protect its next passer.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: What a roller coaster ride for Cleveland fans. Things looked great to start when the Browns traded down three spots, and yet picked up first- and second-round picks in exchange. Cleveland looked incredibly intelligent for once, ultimately securing Mason Graham at No. 5.
The Browns continued their positive momentum atop Round 2. They had some nice selections with Carson Schwesinger and Quinshon Judkins. They passed on Shedeur Sanders, but were able to at least obtain quality prospects. Then, disaster struck. Rather then snatching Sanders at No. 94, the Browns opted for Dillon Gabriel instead. Gabriel is a late-round prospect who doesn’t have NFL tools. The Browns became the laughing stock of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Somehow, Sanders fell to the Browns at No. 144. They turned things around, drafting Sanders. It took a while, but they finally landed the quarterback they should have taken all along.
If you told me before the 2025 NFL Draft that the Browns would obtain Mason Graham, Shedeur Sanders, Carson Schwesinger, and Quinshon Judkins, I would have given them an A+. And I will still grade them favorably. They must be downgraded for the Gabriel debacle, however.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
5. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – A Grade
I’d probably give the Browns a “B” grade for Mason Graham in a vacuum. Some people in the NFL didn’t like his body type at all and even ranked Kenneth Grant ahead of him. He should still be a very good player. However, I’m bumping this up to an “A” grade because the Browns stole a first-round pick away from the Jaguars. This will put the Browns in a great position to land their quarterback of the future in 2026.
33. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – A- Grade
It’s odd that the Browns would target defense atop the second round when they had so many needs on offense. However, Carson Schwesinger was getting some interest in the late teens, so he provides great value to start Round 2.
36. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State – A Grade
It had to be one of the Ohio State running backs, right? I thought the Browns would draft Treyveon Henderson, but Quinshon Judkins makes sense as well. Judkins is the better pure runner and should be a great replacement for Nick Chubb. The Browns still need a quarterback, but they had a huge running back as well. That’s no longer the case.
67. Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green – C Grade
OK, this is getting ridiculous with Shedeur Sanders. I like Harold Fannin as a nifty receiving threat at tight end who reminds me of Chris Cooley. However, the Browns need a quarterback, and Shedeur Sanders is there. Just take him already.
94. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon – MILLEN TO THE MILLENTH POWER Grade
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. DILLON GABRIEL OVER SHEDEUR SANDERS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh man. Wow. Dillon Gabriel is a small quarterback with no NFL skill set. Holy crap, the Browns are morons.
126. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee – B+ Grade
The Browns needed running back talent very badly, so taking a second rusher makes sense, especially when it’s attached to value. Dylan Sampson was projected to be a third-round prospect, so I like Cleveland picking him at this spot.
144. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – A+ Grade
The wait is over, and better yet, we win our +650 bet on Shedeur Sanders going to the Browns. This fall for Sanders was ridiculous. Teams didn’t consider him to be a first-round prospect, but he should have definitely gone in Round 2, but allegedly rubbed teams the wrong way during the pre-draft process. It’s unclear if this fall will humble him, but either way, the Browns have someone who could end up being a franchise quarterback.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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