The Cleveland Browns own the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland made the playoffs in 2023 after an inspiring run from quarterback Joe Flacco.
However, they stumbled through the 2024 season, falling to a 3-14 finish in the AFC North.
Browns Could Aim for QB With No. 2 Pick in 2025 NFL Draft
The Browns played four different quarterbacks during the 2024 season. Veteran Jameis Winston received the bulk of the playing time. He replaced Deshaun Watson, who suffered a brutal injury after seven games.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson saw the field for seven games, as well. Finally, Bailey Zappe played in one game for Cleveland in 2024. However, none of these quarterbacks particularly impressed during the campaign.
Winston is no longer in the Browns organization. He signed a two-year contract with the New York Giants in NFL free agency. He projects to serve as a backup to fellow free-agent signing Russell Wilson in 2025.
Watson would be an option if it were not for his injury. The Browns signal-caller could miss most of the 2025 season. Cleveland did swing a trade for Kenny Pickett, sending Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles in that deal. However, there is room to add to the quarterback room.
There may be no better chance to add a quarterback than the 2025 NFL Draft. As mentioned, Cleveland owns the No. 2 pick. This essentially gives them the pick of the litter, with the lone exception of any quarterback taken by the Tennessee Titans at No. 1.
However, this may not be the case. The Browns could have their eyes on another player on offense, if one recent rumor is to be believed.
Browns Eyeing Generational Talent in 2025 NFL Draft
The University of Colorado recently held its Pro Day. The Buffaloes have two top talents entering this draft. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter seem likely to go within the top 10 in late April.
Sanders makes a ton of sense as the selection at No. 2 overall He could sit for a season behind a veteran in Cleveland to learn the NFL game. Then, he could step in in 2026 as a full-time starter.
However, this may not be the plan. The Athletic’s national NFL insider Jeff Howe covered Colorado’s Pro Day. And he mentioned that Cleveland may have more interest in Hunter at this stage.
“There’s a growing belief around the league that Hunter is the favorite to go to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 2 pick, according to high-ranking executives and coaches. The Browns have been high on Hunter throughout the process, according to sources. And as he went through his route tree Friday during warmups, Browns general manager Andrew Berry watched intently from 10 yards away,” Howe wrote on Saturday.
The Browns certainly could go away from a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft despite the area of need. In fact, PFSN projected the Browns would take Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the No. 2 pick in its most recent seven-round mock draft.
“Abdul Carter is a blue-chip talent with elite pass-rushing ability and positional versatility. The 6’3″, 251-pound edge rusher made the switch from inside linebacker to full-time edge defender for Penn State in 2024 and thrived. He’s an explosive disruptor with elite get-off speed, and when he keeps his pad level low, he’s nearly unblockable. Lining him up opposite of Myles Garrett gives the Browns a dynamic boost and a true defensive identity,” PFSN contributor Reese Decker wrote of the fit.
Hunter could help Cleveland both on offense and defense. The extent to which they have him go both ways is certainly up for debate. In any event, it appears as if there is real intrigue around what the Browns will do with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.