WKYC: Cleveland Browns’ 2025 offseason: Key dates for scouting, free agency and draft

CLEVELAND — With Super Bowl LIX officially in the books, the NFL offseason has begun.

For the Cleveland Browns, that means it’s time to start improving their roster for the upcoming 2025 NFL season.

Coming off a disappointing 3-14 season, the Browns head into the offseason with an unsettled quarterback situation after Deshaun Watson suffered another ruptured Achilles.

In addition to significant roster gaps, All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has also requested a trade.

With a lot to address, here are some key dates that Cleveland Browns fans should watch for:

The NFL Scouting Combine is crucial for the Cleveland Browns as they prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns currently have 12 picks for this year’s draft, including the No. 2 overall selection.

The combine will allow the Browns to assess prospects through key physical drills like the 40-yard dash and bench press, along with interviews to evaluate their mental toughness and character.

This in-depth evaluation is essential for the Browns to make informed decisions on which players to target, ensuring they strengthen their roster and make the most of their draft capital.

• March 10-12 – Legal Tampering Period (Starts at noon)
  Teams and agents can begin negotiating contract terms. While no official agreements can be made yet, verbal deals are common during this period.

• March 12 – Start of the 2025 NFL League Year (4 p.m.)
  The new league year begins, and all contracts, trades and free-agent signings officially take effect.

The Cleveland Browns will have some tough decisions when free agency begins with several key players, including RB Nick Chubb, QB Jameis Winston and WR Elijah Moore, hitting the market.

• Jedrick Wills – LT
• Jameis Winston – QB
• Nick Harris – C
• Nick Chubb – RB
• Elijah Moore – WR
• Jordan Akins – TE
• Maurice Hurst – IDL
• Devin Bush – LB
• Nyheim Hines – RB
• Rodney McLeod – S
• Michael Dunn – LG
• Germain Ifedi – RT
• Geoff Swaim – TE
• Khaleke Hudson – LB
• James Proche – WR
• Hakeem Adeniji – LT
• D’Onta Foreman – RB
• Geron Christian – LT
• Mike Ford – CB
• Tony Brown – WR
• James Hudson – RT
• John Kelly – RB
• Michael Dwumfour – IDL
• Bailey Zappe – QB
• Blake Whiteheart – TE
• James Houston – EDGE
• D’Anthony Bell – S

The NFL Annual League Meeting is a key event for Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, where they join other team owners and executives to discuss key league matters.

Recently, the Haslams have used this platform to highlight their proposed new domed stadium development in Brook Park. It is also likely that head coach Kevin Stefanski will speak to reporters on many topics, including injury updates, free agency updates and the state of the roster at that given time.

After a challenging season in 2024, the Cleveland Browns secured the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This marks an important year for the Browns, as this is the first time since the 2021 NFL Draft they will pick in Round 1. In the past three years, the team’s first-round picks were sent to Houston in the trade for Watson.

With significant roster needs and a pivotal draft position, speculation grows about who the team might select, as the pick could shape the franchise’s future.

Here’s a look at who mock drafts are projecting the Browns to draft in the No. 2 spot:

• New York Times – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
• NFL.com – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
• Pro Football Focus – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
• The Sporting News – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
• ESPN – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

• Round 1, Pick 2 
• Round 2, Pick 33 
• Round 3, Pick 67 and 94 
• Round 4, Pick 103 
• Round 5, Pick 165 
• Round 6, Pick 181, 193, 202, 216, 217 
• Round 7, Pick 257