We are just over two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Cleveland Browns finally have a first-round draft pick.
Cleveland is trying to get past the Deshaun Watson era while having him on the team still. The Browns aren’t going to force a quarterback with their first pick but do have to find one somewhere in the draft.
With how bad Cleveland’s offense was last year, it is clear what direction they need to go. A new three-round mock draft to start the week!
Hunter is the favorite at this point to be the selection for Cleveland at No. 2 overall. Cleveland badly needs an infusion of talent on the offensive side of the football and Hunter brings just that. Cleveland sees Hunter as a wide receiver first and he’s the best in the class. Combine that with his potential ability to play snaps at cornerback and the Browns have a star in the making with this pick.
Staying on the offensive side of the football makes sense with how bad Cleveland’s offense was last year. The hope is that Dawand Jones can hold down left tackle and that Jack Conklin can stay healthy another season on the right side. Conerly is a future starting tackle and the Browns need another one of those. Andrew Berry has said before that the team uses the draft for the future, this pick fits the mold.
The offensive streak continues and the Browns find a potential franchise running back with this pick. Johnson is built like a physical running back but runs with great patience and shiftiness. His 40-yard dash is something to look past, as he plays much faster. Going from the Nick Chubb era to Johnson would be a neat transition.
Ideally, the Browns would like to take a quarterback earlier but that just isn’t how the selections fell. Howard is a winner and has the physical build you want in a quarterback. Not a passer who is going to be ready to play in Year 1, but an exciting prospect nonetheless. Capable runner to get tough yards, can make all of the throws even if he doesn’t have a ton of zip, and is a great leader. Plays a style that would be fun to see Kevin Stefanski develop.
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