Despite some recent success, the Cleveland Browns find themselves on the verge of yet another rebuild.
Unfortunately, the offseason hasn’t introduced many notable additions to Cleveland. They’ve signed some offensive line and front-seven depth, but the transaction that made the most headlines was the team’s trade for backup quarterback Kenny Pickett.
That’s not ideal for a franchise in desperate need of a facelift. Luckily, the Browns have the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. If this roster is ever going to get an infusion of big-time talent, now is the time, and PFSN’s latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from Brentley Weissman gives the Browns a new look.
2) Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Most fans would probably suggest that the Browns’ biggest need is at quarterback, though the latest PFSN mock draft doesn’t peg them an improvement at the position. With Cam Ward off the board after the No. 1 overall pick, Cleveland is instead expected to take the best defender in the class.
“The Cleveland Browns called Myles Garrett’s bluff and secured a long-term contract with their star pass rusher. This gives the Browns some flexibility with the No. 2 overall pick. While a quarterback may be tempting, pairing Garrett with Abdul Carter is too tempting to pass up,” Weissman said.
The Browns may actually benefit from missing out on Ward and avoiding Shedeur Sanders. With the two quarterbacks soaking up so much attention in draft circles, Cleveland is projected to get its hands on a generational defender.
33) Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
After nabbing Carter, the Browns are expected to overhaul their offense. With the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall), the mock draft sees Cleveland taking a Missouri wideout.
“Luther Burden III falls out of the first round but is quickly gobbled up by the Browns here at the start of the second. Burden would give the Browns an exciting young playmaker to pair with Jerry Jeudy, who enjoyed a solid breakout campaign in 2024,” Weissman said.
Beyond Jeudy, who had 90 receptions for 1,229 yards in 17 games last season, no one on the Browns had even 550 receiving yards. Part of that was due to the team’s horrendous quarterback play, but adding Burden — who had 86 receptions for 1,212 yards in 2023 — to the aerial attack should only help Cleveland’s maligned passers.
67) Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
In the third round, the Browns are tabbed with taking Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. With longtime franchise running back Nick Chubb still lingering in free agency, the team needs another bell-cow back, and Johnson has the talent to fit that bill. He is a big and physical runner who plays with excellent vision. He could form a strong tandem with third-down running back Jerome Ford.
“It’s weird to imagine a world where the Browns aren’t relying on Nick Chubb to carry their offense, but here we are. The team needs another bell-cow back, and Kaleb Johnson has the talent to fit that bill. He is a big and physical runner who plays with excellent vision,” Weissman said.
94) Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
“Shemar Turner is a bit undersized, but he plays with explosiveness and good lateral agility. He would be a nice rotational defensive lineman who can help out on passing downs,” Weissman said.
Turner was not a standout stat-padder at Texas A&M, posting two sacks in 2024, but he was a promising run-stopper (17 TFLs in his final two seasons and 7.9% run-stop rate) and played in a system that didn’t maximize his abilities in a way that shows up on a box score.
104) Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Emery Jones Jr. was an early contributor for a program as big as LSU, playing in 37 games in three seasons of action. He was at his best in 2023, allowing just one QB hit and 15 hurries, per PFF’s data, but his experience is promising, with over 2,400 career offensive snaps.
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The Browns need offensive line help, and they need it fast. The team’s O-line got old and brittle quickly, and after a 20th-place finish in PFSN’s OL+ metric, the team needs road graders to pave the way for Johnson.
179) Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
Teddye Buchanan was a versatile linebacker for the California Golden Bears, posting top quartile coverage grades and pass-rushing grades while being an above-average run defender as well.
He primarily lined up in the box, but alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks, he can form an offense-stopping trio in the middle of the field.
192) Marcus Tate, OG, Clemson
Marcus Tate has shown promise as a pass-blocker at Clemson, allowing just six sacks in four seasons across nearly 1,400 passing-down snaps. While he has played tackle at times for the Tigers, he has primarily been a left guard. He does not project as an immediate starter, but with Joel Bitonio holding things down, he could be the guard of the future if he pans out as the Browns would hope.
200) BJ Adams, CB, UCF
With less-than-promising athletic testing, BJ Adams’ NFL projection feels a bit murky, but he earned his stay in the Big 12 as a press-man corner. His technique and discipline will need to improve to survive against NFL receivers, but it is hard to argue with his elite grading in man coverage (86.4), proving he could survive as a long-term cornerback project.
216) Tyler Batty, EDGE, BYU
While his production was nowhere near elite, never clearing six sacks in a season through five years at BYU, his underlying metrics are intriguing for a player who tested solidly athletically as well.
He has lined up primarily out wide, which will make it hard to see the field when playing alongside Carter and Garrett, but as a rotational edge rusher, Batty could find an early role.
255) Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado
He made headlines as a member of the Colorado Buffaloes offense, but Will Sheppard was a successful receiver before heading to Boulder, Colo., for the 2024 season.
With 2,688 career receiving yards and 27 receiving scores, he has proven he can get open, but his athleticism is in question after a poor speed showing at the NFL Combine and given his questionable play strength, especially to thrive on the outside.
