Here’s a look at who experts predict the Cleveland Browns take with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
CLEVELAND — With the NFL Scouting Combine fast approaching, all eyes are on the Cleveland Browns as they prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, where they hold the No. 2 overall pick.
The NFL Combine, a critical event for evaluating top prospects, will likely shape the final decisions for teams looking to build for the future.
As Cleveland looks to strengthen its roster, mock drafts from leading media outlets are pointing to a variety of players—ranging from quarterbacks to edge rushers.
Here’s a look at the latest NFL mock drafts and the players most likely to hear their names called by Cleveland this April.
Editor’s note: All analysis below was curated from the linked sources.
The Browns kick off the post-Myles Garrett era by selecting a premier edge rusher. Carter was dominant in 2024, earning a stellar 92.3 PFF pass-rushing grade while racking up 13 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 43 hurries on 352 pass-rushing snaps.
The Browns could look to Travis Hunter here, but they need to usher in a new era at quarterback.
No, this isn’t a reactive move after Myles Garrett’s trade request. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year might not even be on the move, as Cleveland doesn’t appear to be budging from its stance that it won’t move the star pass rusher. Regardless of whether Garrett goes or stays, Carter is an elite talent at a premium position. He would serve as a foundational piece for a franchise that seems to have few in place as it stares down a rebuild.
The Browns — like the Titans — will do their homework on the top of the quarterback class, and I wouldn’t rule out one of Ward or Sanders going here. But considering the recent trade request by Myles Garrett and Carter’s overall value as a prospect, the Browns might decide to sort the QB situation at a later pick or in free agency. Carter was dominant in his first full season on the edge after sliding over from off-ball linebacker. He created pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush reps this past season and finished with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss; all three numbers were among the top seven in the nation.
With Deshaun Watson possibly out for 2025 and done in Cleveland, quarterback was a consideration here. However, the defense took a step back in 2024 and is headed in the wrong direction, with Myles Garrett seemingly on the move. The Browns can immediately start their efforts to replace Garrett with Carter. The Nittany Lion totaled a dozen sacks and an FBS-high 24 TFLs in his final season.
The Browns are in a tough spot with Deshaun Watson’s contract looming large for the next few years, but they can at least give themselves an opportunity to move on at quarterback rather quickly with the selection of Ward. He’s a gunslinger and a player who will try to make the most of whatever the defense offers up — which ends up in mistakes sometimes. Still, he has the aggressive style to end up as a high quality NFL passer.
Cleveland has a strong secondary, spearheaded by standout corner Denzel Ward, and Jerry Jeudy had a breakout season at receiver. But Hunter gives the Browns another cornerstone piece at both spots, and while Cleveland sorts out its quarterback situation, Hunter cements a pair of positional strengths. Apart from his unique two-way skill set, Hunter has tremendous athleticism, ball skills and instincts at the catch point—three traits that translate regardless of whether he’s playing offense or defense.