The Cleveland Browns had one of the most puzzling offseasons in the NFL in 2025. While many expected the team to trade Myles Garrett to stockpile picks and start rebuilding, Cleveland instead signed him to a record-breaking four-year, $160 million extension — averaging $40 million per year.
Looking at the rest of the Browns’ roster, some voids need addressing before September for the team to be even remotely competitive. They still need a wide receiver to complement Jerry Jeudy — and, at the moment, a quarterback. The only healthy option currently on the roster is Kenny Pickett, who served as a backup in Philadelphia in 2024.
With that in mind, one analyst laid out a blueprint for how the Browns should approach the upcoming draft at the end of April — including a realistic pick strategy and the possible addition of a veteran quarterback to lead the franchise this season.
Travis Hunter Is Key for Browns Revival
Commentator Evan Cohen shared his thoughts on the Browns’ potential plan heading into the 2025 NFL Draft during an episode of “Unsportsmanlike” — laying out how the franchise could look to revive its hopes for the near future.
A Browns plan, that may work?!?! pic.twitter.com/b1uIfttqYd
— Evan Cohen (@EvCoRadio) April 8, 2025
“If I’m a Cleveland Browns fan right now, my mind is Travis Hunter, Kirk Cousins, Jalen Milroe. And I think I’m okay with this. I think I may be happy with this, actually.”
The Browns currently hold the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, giving them near-total control of their destiny — especially with signs pointing to Cam Ward, the Miami (Fla.) quarterback, being taken first overall by the Titans. With Ward likely off the board, Cleveland essentially has a wide-open path — and Travis Hunter stands out as the most electrifying player in the entire class.
Adding him as a starting cornerback alongside Denzel Ward would give the Browns a unique boost on defense. But Hunter’s impact doesn’t stop there. He’s what many call a “unicorn” in today’s NFL — a rare player who performs at an elite level on both sides of the ball.
Cleveland’s need for a second wide receiver could also be addressed. Hunter could be used in specific offensive packages and immediately become a star, potentially capturing the hearts of fans if he lives up to expectations.
One complication, however, could be the hypothetical arrival of Kirk Cousins. By keeping him on the roster after March 17, the Atlanta Falcons triggered a $10 million bonus for 2026 — and the team doesn’t seem too bothered by the idea of holding onto him through 2025 as a veteran safety net for Michael Penix Jr.
Jalen Milroe Is a More Viable Day 2 NFL Draft Option
On day two of the draft, Cleveland will have three picks: Nos. 33, 67, and 94. It’s widely expected that the team will target a quarterback with one of those selections — and Jalen Milroe is likely to still be on the board. While it would be surprising to see him taken in the first round, Milroe did accept the invitation to attend the first night of the draft in person, which will be held in Green Bay.
Milroe is described as an athletic, fast quarterback with a strong arm and the ability to improvise — traits that could help him find ways to produce early in his NFL career as he adjusts to the speed of the game.
However, Cleveland should develop other areas of his game before putting him on the field. His mental processing lags behind other prospects in the class — complex defensive looks often fool him, and he tends to become inconsistent under pressure.
If Cousins isn’t a realistic option, it wouldn’t be the worst scenario to let Kenny Pickett take over as the starter in 2025 for a stretch while the coaching staff builds a tailored game plan to ease Milroe into action.
In such a setup, one thing remains clear: Cleveland has several holes to fill in this draft — and quarterback is the most important.
There’s still a chance Shedeur Sanders could be the pick at No. 2. Still, if the team opts for Hunter instead, they’ll need to explore every available path to avoid wasting another elite talent on a roster lacking at the most critical position in football.