The ripple effects of the New York Giants signing Russell Wilson could be far-reaching. With all eyes on Lambeau Field for the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s still anyone’s guess how the top of the draft board will shake out. None of the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, or New York Giants have made their plans clear.
But with the Giants adding Jameis Winston and Wilson to the roster, they may not expect to get a shot at their quarterback of choice. Instead, they could be hedging their bets, building a bridge QB room just in case the top signal-callers are off the board by the time they pick.
However, the latest buzz around Cleveland could flip that thinking — and the top of the draft — on its head.
What Are the Cleveland Browns Thinking?
With Deshaun Watson out for most of the 2025 season, Cleveland has a rare opportunity to capitalize on its win-now roster by adding a stable quarterback. In 2023, they proved they could still contend with a veteran fill-in, reaching the playoffs even with Joe Flacco, who joined the team midseason and was well past his prime.
The Browns hold the second overall pick, which should make drafting a quarterback a no-brainer. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns are “leaning toward” selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter instead of a signal-caller.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Browns are "leaning towards" taking EDGE Abdul Carter with the no. 2 pick, per @AdamSchefter
Abdul Carter + Myles Garrett would be nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. pic.twitter.com/CsF4j47vdH
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 26, 2025
Carter is an elite prospect who’s risen draft boards after a monster season. He recorded 68 total tackles, 43 solo, and notched 12 sacks in his final year with the Nittany Lions. He’s considered by many to be the most complete defensive player in the class.
Teaming Carter with Myles Garrett could be a nightmare scenario for opposing offenses. With that pairing, Cleveland’s defense might have a legitimate case as the league’s best.
Still, it doesn’t fix their quarterback problem.
Watson ranked dead last in PFSN’s QB+ metrics last season, and the offense was brutal. Even with Watson sidelined for the foreseeable future, Cleveland hasn’t addressed the position in free agency beyond trading for Kenny Pickett.
Pickett, who served as a backup during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, hasn’t shown enough to prove he can lead an NFL offense over an entire season. That leaves Cleveland in a tough spot — loaded roster, no clear QB1.
The latest mock draft from PFSN throws another curveball. NFL Draft analyst Marco Enriquez predicts Tennessee will surprise everyone and draft Carter at No. 1, letting Cleveland grab Cam Ward — one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft.
If that scenario plays out, Cleveland could walk away with their long-term answer at quarterback without passing on an elite defender themselves. It might just be the win-win they need to finally get over the playoff hump.
