NFL Draft Grades - Cleveland Browns
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Cleveland Browns Upcoming 2025 Draft Picks (10)
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/23/2025 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Browns, thanks to their tanking efforts by starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson, are in a position to select one of the top two quarterbacks in this class. We'll have to see if Deion Sanders forces a trade with the Giants. We'll also have to see if the Browns pass on one of those quarterbacks, which would continue their pattern of passing on talented quarterbacks in favor of other positions. Travis Hunter has incredible athleticism and plus size. He's an elite talent at both cornerback and receiver. *** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. Abdul Carter, DE - Many major-media reporters are saying this pick will be Hunter, but it could just as easily be Abdul Carter. Pairing Myles Garrett with Carter would give the Browns one of the top edge rushes in the NFL.
Round: 2
Cleveland Browns: James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee
Nearly two decades ago, the Browns passed on Brady Quinn to much criticism, but then traded up into the end of the opening round to select the Notre Dame prospect. Perhaps history will repeat itself 18 years later, with Cleveland going after a quarterback with its second pick after passing on one with its initial selection. Or, perhaps the Browns will draft something else if they don't love any of these quarterback options. The Browns could draft Abdul Carter. If they don't, defensive end will be in play at No. 33 despite quarterback being chalk. James Pearce put a ton of pressure on the quarterback in '23. He has a ton of potential, but he needs to fill out his frame. Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here! Also, if you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look. Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $7.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help! Pick change; previously Omarion Hampton, RB
Round: 3
Cleveland Browns: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
The Browns finally get their quarterback. They obviously have to address the position in the first three rounds. Tyler Shough has some great talent, but never put it together in college. He's also so old that he was in the first round of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft back when it was published in the spring of 2021.
Round: 3
Cleveland Browns: Dante Trader, S, Maryland
The Browns have given up on Juan Thornhill, so here's another safety. Dante Trader is undersized, but he was a solid player for Maryland.
Round: 4
Cleveland Browns: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
Jedrick Wills is as good as gone, so the Browns will need a new left tackle. Carson Vinson shined in the agility drills at the combine.
Round: 6
Cleveland Browns: Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
The Browns will have to address their linebacking corps depth in the later rounds. Nick Martin was a tackling machine until he went down with an injury last season.
Round: 6
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
The Browns will be looking to address their secondary at some point on Day 3. There might be some speed concerns with Denzel Burke, but he's a tough tackler.
Round: 6
Cleveland Browns: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
It shouldn't surprise anyone if the Browns obtain multiple running backs. Jarquez Hunter is a physical, downhill runner.
Round: 6
Cleveland Browns: Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh
The Browns have no depth at tight end. Gavin Bartholomew was a solid contributor for Pittsburgh and appears to be a backup in the NFL. Go to 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Charlie Campbell Go to 2026 NFL Mock Draft by Walter Cherepinsky
Round: 7
Cleveland Browns: Danny Striggow, OLB, Minnesota
If the Browns don't draft Abdul Carter at No. 2, they'll have to find an edge rusher later in the draft.
Past Grades and Selections
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
C- Michael Hall is staying home in Ohio, but that may not be the best thing. Michael Hall was expected to fall even lower than this because of some glaring off-the-field issues. The Browns are getting a player with upside, but the risk is very high.
B+ The Browns had some injuries on the offensive line last year, so it makes sense for them to find some quality depth and a future starter. Zak Zinter is a solid player who would have gone earlier if it weren't for injury concerns.
B- Eagles fans have to feel nostalgic with Trotter and Thrash going back to back. Jamari Thrash isn't quite as good of a prospect as Trotter, but he makes sense in the fifth-round range. He made some big plays in Louisville, and he'll provide needed depth at receiver for Cleveland.
A- Nathaniel Watson is someone we had in the fifth round, so this is solid value for the Browns, a team that needed to find a linebacker. Nathaniel Watson was a tackling machine in college, though he has questionable coverage ability.
B+ Myles Harden made a name for himself last year, and he could have gone a round earlier than this. The Browns are getting a promising cornerback prospect here, making this a solid choice.
B Jowon Briggs made a name for himself on the top 30-visit circuit. The Browns needed more production from the interior of their defensive line, and Briggs might be able to provide that, though he's a project.
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A I was really hoping for an offensive lineman, but another weapon for Deshaun Watson makes a ton of sense - especially this one. Cedric Tillman should have been chosen 20 or so selections earlier than this. Tillman is a huge receiver who will be a great weapon for Watson in the end zone.
A- Siaki Ika is someone I had in the first round long ago, but he fell because of injury concerns. He's also a run-stuffer, so he made sense for the second frame anyway. Still, the Browns desperately needed someone to help stop the run, which was a big problem for them last year.
A+ The Colts brought in plenty of offensive linemen for top-30 visits, as they wanted depth and a successor for Jack Conklin. Dawand Jones is a massive offensive lineman who will blast open huge running lanes for Nick Chubb. He could have gone in the second round, so I love this value.
C+ The Browns needed to continue to bolster their defensive line, which was very weak last year outside of Myles Garrett. Isaiah McGuire is a powerful defensive lineman who could do well in Cleveland's rotation. I had him going later though.
A- With Jacoby Brissett gone, the Browns needed to develop a young quarterback just in case Deshaun Watson gets more massages. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a very mobile quarterback who provides some value in the fifth round.
A I had Cam Mitchell going in the third round, so I love this value. Cam Mitchell is a physical, versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary. He'll be needed versus the high-powered offenses in the AFC.
A+ What a steal! Luke Wypler should have been drafted on Day 2. The Browns showed interest in a bunch of centers during the pre-draft process, and I can't imagine that they thought they'd land someone like Wypler in the sixth round.
A+ The Ravens found a gem in the seventh round. Andrew Vorhees is a very versatile and smart offensive lineman whom I expected to be chosen in the third or fourth round. I'm shocked he fell this far, but Baltimore won't complain.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
C- Grade
The Browns are deep at cornerback, so I don't understand this selection. I like that the Browns moved down, but they had huge holes at receiver and defensive line. Surely, they could've found someone who made more sense than Martin Emerson. I like Emerson a bit as a tall corner with good length, but this fit isn't great.
C- Grade
This is the opposite of the Browns' first pick. With Martin Emerson, they didn't fill a need, but got decent value. Now with Alex Wright, they're filling a need on the edge, but are getting poor value, as Alex Wright was a fifth-round prospect. Cleveland's draft feels like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
B Grade
Once upon a time, people were telling me that David Bell belonged in the first round. I stopped getting those e-mails eventually, as N'Keal Harry comparisons surfaced. I'm not convinced David Bell can separate, but I like the gamble here in the third round rather than the initial frame. Bell could fill a need if people are wrong about his separation issues.
A+ Grade
I slotted Perrion Winfrey to the Browns in the re-draft because it made so much sense. Cleveland needed defensive line help, and Winfrey is someone I had in the second round. This is a major steal for the Browns, as they're getting someone who dominated in the trenches at Oklahoma.
O'BRIEN Grade
Ugh, come on. I know the Browns had kicker woes, but kickers can be found on the street. Seriously, just walk down the street and ask people to try out for kicker, and you'll find a half-decent one. There's no need to waste a significant pick on one.
C Grade
Jerome Ford doesn't fill a need at all for the Browns, who are extremely deep at running back. With so few picks, I don't think the Browns could afford to make selections like this, though I don't hate the prospect. Jerome Ford figures to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.
B Grade
A Tarik Cohen replacement? This is a fine pick. Trestan Ebner is a small back, but he's a good receiver out of the backfield who runs quickly.
B+ Grade
Cameron Goode was in the sixth round of my final mock, so this is a slight value pick. It also fills a need; once again, the Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for visits, so they really wanted to address this position.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B Grade
Anything in the back seven would've made sense for the Browns. They need linebacker help to deal with Lamar Jackson and cornerback upgrades to cover all of Pittsburgh's receivers. They opted for Greg Newsome over Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, which is fine. I had Newsome pegged in this area, and he figures to be a solid No. 2 cornerback across from Denzel Ward.
A Grade
D.J. Moore's contract is up soon, while Robby Anderson is just above average, so receiver was in play for the Panthers. Terrace Marshall was the best player available at the position. Marshall was mocked in the first round by some, but injury concerns caused him to drop. I like the value for Marshall here, especially with the Panthers picking up a pair of third-round chices from trading down twice.
F Grade
The Texans are not good at this putting talent together to form a team thing. I didn't have Nico Collins in the final version of my mock draft, though I definitely considered him in the late rounds. Still, I guess it would make sense for the Texans to trade up for a pedestrian receiver to catch passes from their pedestrian quarterback.
D Grade
I liked Cleveland's draft up until this point. Anthony Schwartz isn't a football player. He's a track athlete trying to play football. Perhaps he'll develop into a football player, but he's a huge project. I thought he would go in the fifth or sixth round.
A Grade
The Browns' great draft continues. I consistently mocked James Hudson in the second or third round, so this is incredible value. It doesn't fill a major need at all, but the Browns are getting one of the top players available to fill depth on the offensive line. Just ask the Chiefs how important offensive line depth can be!
B+ Grade
The Browns lost Sheldon Richardson, so it makes sense that they would address the trenches with this selection. I've had Tommy Togiai slotted in this range, so this is a solid choice for the Browns, who are having a great draft.
C Grade
Richard LeCounte was a productive player in Georgia as a tackling machine. The problem is that he's small and very unathletic, so he may not translate into the pros, unfortunately. He may have to be relegated to special teams.
B- Grade
Demetric Felton is versatile threat who is moving from running back to receiver. There's some questions about whether he can do that, and his upside is questioned, but Felton could end up being the Browns' third running back. This is an OK pick, but Felton could have trouble making the roster.
B Grade
It's going to be difficult for Jermar Jefferson to make the roster, given that the Lions have D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Kerryon Johnson. I imagine this is just injury insurance, which is fine, given that Jefferson was pegged as a seventh-round prospect.