BEREA, Ohio — The
2025 NFL draft
has started (viralbuzznews.com, ABC, viralbuzznews.comApp) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Using their initial selection, the
Cleveland Browns
took Michigan defensive tackle
Mason Graham
No. 5 overall after swapping the No. 2 selection with them
Jacksonville Jaguars
.
Here’s a glance at Cleveland’s choices:
Analysis of every pick
|
Updated depth chart
Round 1, Pick 5 Overall (via Jacksonville): Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, University of Michigan
My take:
The Browns declined the chance to select one of the players considered the clear top two in the draft.
Travis Hunter
and
Abdul Carter
, yet ultimately resulted in acquiring one of the top players in Graham, who they see as an ideal addition to their defense. In the backfield, Graham excelled as a disruptive defensive lineman, and Cleveland intends for him to consistently strengthen their robust and assertive defensive line.
Is he going to begin his career as a rookie?
Graham may not be a Day 1 starter — the team signed
Maliek Collins
this offseason, has veteran
Shelby Harris
on the roster and 2024 second-round pick
Mike Hall
is returning from a severe knee injury, but Graham will be part of the defensive line rotation early on. GM Andrew Berry said he wants his defensive fronts to be six-to-eight players deep, so Graham will be able to find a role as a rookie.
What we’re learning regarding Graham:
He serves as a DNA match for our defense, an influential inside force… we considered him one of the most commanding front-line options in this year’s draft class.
Round 2, Pick 33 Overall:
Carson Schwesinger
, LB, UCLA
My take:
Even though there was a significant demand for playmakers on offense, the Browns started Day 2 by selecting Schwesinger, who was named to the first team of the 2024 All-Americans. This is quite a strategic choice, considering the questionable condition of the starting linebacker position.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
, a 2023 Pro Bowl selection who had his season conclude prematurely due to a neck injury. The Browns have not provided a specific timetable for his return. Should Owusu-Koramoah remain out, Schwesinger may vie for the opportunity to start in the center of Cleveland’s defensive lineup.
Key Stat:
In 2024, Schwesinger recorded only four missed tackles. Data from Sports Info Solutions indicates that out of 47 FBS players who achieved at least 100 tackles that year, Schwesinger’s total of four misses was the lowest. This could significantly benefit the Browns’ defense, which faced challenges with tackling previously; last season, Cleveland permitted the seventh-highest yardage following contact per rushing play (1.87 yards).
Round 2, No. 36 overall (via Jacksonville):
Quinshon Judkins
, RB, Ohio State
My take:
The Browns finally targeted a skill position player and got one who starred not too far away in Columbus in Judkins. Cleveland needed to upgrade its backfield with fan favorite
Nick Chubb
unsigned. Adding Judkins as a physical runner is a nice complement to
Jerome Ford
, who has consistently posed a significant scoring threat throughout his career.
Key Stat:
Judkins has 179 forced missed tackles since 2022, the fourth most in the FBS in that span. Last season, the Browns were tied for 16th in yards after contact per rush (1.69).
Round 3, Pick 67 Overall:
Harold Fannin Jr.
, TE, Bowling Green
My take:
On day two, the Browns acquired another dynamic player by selecting Fannin, who was the highest-scoring tight end in the FBS during the previous season. As both a 2024 Consensus All-American and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Fannin broke the single-season FBS tight end records with his remarkable stats: 117 catches for 1,555 yards. The team required reinforcement at the tight end position after this selection.
David Njoku
, a 2023 Pro Bowl selection who will be a free agent following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
At what point can we anticipate him getting consistent playtime?
Njoku has secured his position as a starter; however, the Browns anticipate using more formations with two tight ends in 2025 once Head Coach Kevin Stefanski resumes control over play calling. This shift could provide numerous chances for Fannin, as a newcomer, to see playing time within these lineup setups and make an impact through passes.
Round 3, No. 94 overall:
Dillon Gabriel
, QB, Oregon
My take:
The Browns ended Day 2 with a quarterback, but with
Shedeur Sanders
, whom the team extensively engaged with throughout the pre-draft period, was still available when they made their pick. It turned out not to be the quarterback many anticipated. Instead, Cleveland chose Gabriel, a slightly built (5-11, 205 lbs) yet seasoned signal-caller who played college football for six years. The Browns held several meetings with Gabriel and, despite his smaller stature, ultimately felt confident enough to make him the highly awaited newcomer to join the quarterback roster. In discussions about the secondary tier of quarterbacks in the draft, an AFC scout identified Gabriel as a wildcard prospect, likening him to the
San Francisco 49ers
‘
Brock Purdy
— another quarterback who has subpar measurements but shows precision when throwing from the pocket.
What we’re hearing about Gabriel:
“The primary drawback one could point out is his lack of ideal height, however, we didn’t see this impacting his performance on the court.” — Berry
What’s next:
The Browns addressed the offense heavily on Day 2, getting a pair of playmakers in Judkins and Fannin before wrapping up with a developmental quarterback in Gabriel. With three picks on Day 3, Cleveland could use its remaining draft capital to target a wide receiver —
Jerry Jeudy
is the only wideout on the roster with 50 catches in a season — and add depth to an aging offensive line.
Remaining picks:
Round 4:
No. 126 (via Jacksonville)
Round 6:
No. 166
Round 6:
No. 192
