Four weeks into the regular season, the Cleveland Browns find themselves in an unfortunate position: at the bottom of the AFC North. Circumstances, however, were far worse in February, as their all-world defensive end Myles Garrett requested a trade.
Garrett, of course, ended up signing a contract extension to remain in Cleveland, an extension that at the time made him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. Since that extension, the outlook on the Browns’ future has flipped. The QB position remains bleak, but General Manager Andrew Berry worked the 2025 draft masterfully to build a foundation for the future. A foundation that is already bearing fruit.
First Round
Trade Back – The best selection of the Browns’ draft was the one they didn’t make. Holding the 2nd overall pick and the keys to the generational talent, Travis Hunter had tremendous value, and Andrew Berry knew it. He traded the 2nd overall pick along with a 4th and 6th round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which slid the Browns back to the 5th overall pick, but also awarded them an additional 2nd round pick, 4th round pick in 2025, and first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Those additional picks would not go to waste, and it set the Browns up beautifully with two 1st round picks in 2026, which is expected to be a QB-heavy draft – a major position of need for the Browns going forward.
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – A surprise pick for the Browns, Mason Graham demands attention along the defensive line, which helps free up the already frequent play-making Myles Garrett. Graham has 1 sack in his first four games, but that isn’t his strength. He’s a disruptor who will cause chaos for an offensive line and demand double teams. Double teams that further benefit the rest of the defense, like his fellow draft classmate, who the Browns took in the second round.
Second Round
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – My 25th overall-ranked prospect, Carson Schwesinger, has stepped in and made an immediate impact on the Cleveland defense. His sideline-to-sideline speed and slippery style make him hard for lineman to get their hands on in the run game. He also excels at coverage, carrying a 76.5 grade per PFF, after 4 games, which is 17th best of 131 qualified linebackers.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State – Quinshon Judkins‘ NFL career appeared to get off to a rocky start, but he quickly showed why he was selected in the second round once he took the field for the first time.
Judkin’s career started in week two, with spot duty against the Ravens. Still, he totaled 61 rushing yards on 10 carries, while just getting his feet wet. In the next two weeks, Judkins would rush for 94 and 82 yards, scoring in both contests.
In just three NFL games, Judkins has already taken over the Browns’ backfield as RB1, or at least RB1A.
Third Round
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green – In the third round, the Browns elected to fortify a strength, adding another tight end to pair with David Njoku. He’s a perfect complement to the Browns TE1 and has big-time potential. In his young career, he’s already averaging 6 targets per game, a number that will surely only increase throughout his career.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon – Gabriel was the first unexpected draftee of the Browns’ 2025 class. Though not expected to be an immediate starter, Gabriel is an immediate asset due to his youth and college football experience. Even at the college level, 64 games, 18,000+ yards, and 155 TDs do not come easy. His production and big game experience make him a valuable backup and prospect for the future.
With the rough start to Cleveland’s season, we may see Dillon Gabriel sooner than expected. It will be an excellent opportunity to show his potential, which could deter the Browns from pursuing a QB in the 2026 NFL draft.
Fourth Round
Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee – The speedy Dylan Sampson exploded on the season in 2024 for the Tennessee Volunteers to the tune of 1,491 rushing yards and 22 TDs. Sampson’s ability is the perfect complement to Quinshon Judkins and should serve as the change of pace back of the future.
Sampson has struggled so far in his brief professional career, averaging only 1.9 YPC, but that will improve as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game. Sampson has the potential to push for an RB1B job in Cleveland, rather than just being a spell back for Judkins.
Fifth Round
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – For the first time in memory, the story of the NFL Draft was a fifth-round QB. Draft experts had the polarizing Colorado QB being selected in the first round, making the day three fall a major head-scratcher.
Finally, the Browns stopped the bleeding and selected Sanders in the fifth round. Early indications were that the decision came from ownership, heightened by the selection of Gabriel in the third round. Sanders was sporadic in preseason play, showing flashes of poise and accuracy, along with poor decision-making and failure to process.
Sanders will always be a story for the Browns and the NFL, regardless of the outcome of his career. He could get an opportunity to provide a spark in 2025 as the Browns’ offense has struggled. Sanders desired a team that gave him an opportunity to play, and he may have landed in the right place.
Still Building
Early indications are that of a great draft class for the Browns. Each player who has seen the field in any significant capacity has shown flashes of success. These selections begin to build an identity for the Browns. With selections at DT, LB, TE, and multiple RBs, the Browns team is being built strongly up the middle. A complete necessity to compete in the tough AFC North division.
The major missing piece is, of course, a quarterback. Loaded with two first-round picks in 2026, it’s the obvious plan to pursue a QB early in the draft, given that Sanders or Dillon fail to show their abilities as a franchise QB in 2025.
When Myles Garrett started 2025 with a holdout, he expressed a desire for a plan to pursue a championship – that cannot be done without a top-tier QB. $40M+ per year and a plan at QB kept Garrett in town. If the Browns’ front office can replicate the results of their 2025 draft with a QB in 2026, it may be the turning point the franchise has longed for.
