Browns fix their Deshaun Watson issue in latest 2025 three-round NFL mock draft

How the next two games go will have a big impact on where the Cleveland Browns pick in April’s NFL draft. The Browns play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and will finish the season at the Baltimore Ravens.

As it currently stands, the Browns are set to pick No. 5 overall. They could move up or down depending on how the last couple of games go. One thing is for sure; if the Browns are in the top 3, they really have to think about taking a quarterback.

In the latest mock draft from A to Z Sports, Cleveland lands on their franchise quarterback at No. 5 overall.

Cleveland Browns select Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders No. 5 overall

Sanders is likely the safest quarterback to take in this draft and the Browns should have him No. 1 on their board. Miami’s Cam Ward is an exciting prospect, but the Browns may have to avoid him. Ward thrives off schedule and the Browns making that work could be tough.

“Shedeur Sanders improved every single year throughout college and finished strong this season, nearly carrying Colorado to the College Football Playoff. He doesn't have truly elite physical traits that we might usually see in a top-five quarterback and lacks mobility to add a lot of rushing value, but if he can extend plays like in the post below, keeping his eyes downfield, avoiding pressure, Sanders might be something special for the Cleveland Browns here as they desperately look to put Deshaun Watson behind them in the near future.”

Watson and Cleveland just haven’t worked out in his three seasons with the team. It is clear the Browns have to go in a different direction, especially if the current front office and coach want to stick around. Drafting Sanders would give the Browns a talented player behind center on a rookie contract.

Sanders was terrific in 2024 with 35 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and 3,926 passing yards. The Colorado quarterback completed 74 percent of his passes. It was a nice improvement year over year for Sanders, who threw for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns as a rookie.

The Watson era has come to an end in Cleveland in terms of him starting, or at least they should be. Now, the Browns have to focus on finding the next guy. Sanders could be just that.