Cleveland Browns 2025 NFL Draft Grades

Round 1, No. 5: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Grade: A-

This is factoring in the trade a bit, but the fact of the matter is the Cleveland Browns got one of the best defensive prospects in the draft. Sure, it hurts to give up Travis Hunter, but nothing is a sure thing in sports. Additionally, they picked up a second-round pick this year and Jacksonville’s first in 2026. At some point, the value is too good. The only knock on this pick is that the Browns have a ton of defensive linemen on the roster. While depth is important, they could have filled a position of need. That’s a nitpick. Graham is a great talent to have on the roster.

Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Grade: A

The Cleveland Browns came into the draft with a need for offensive playmakers. What I love is that they didn’t reach to get one. Instead, they steadily improved an already stout defensive unit. Schwesinger was a first-team All-American last year and was a tackling machine. The Browns struggled with missed tackles last season. Furthermore, this could be a huge position of need if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s neck injury is serious. The UCLA product could be on the mic in the middle of the defense in week 1.

Round 2, No. 36: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Grade: A-

The Cleveland Browns finally go with an offensive weapon, nabbing one of the Ohio State backs. Judkins is an extremely physical runner, making him a great back for short-yardage situations. This is the pick they got from Jacksonville in the first-round trade, making this pick look even better. In a deep running back class, they get one of the best ones. Judkins has shown an ability to make defenders miss, racking up 179 forced missed tackles since 2022. With Nick Cubb unsigned and Jerome Ford the only back, this is a great pick.

Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

Grade: A+

Can I give the Cleveland Browns an A+++++++? I love Fannin Jr., and he has some insane accolades to his name. He was a 2024 Consensus All-American and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he set an FBS record for tight ends in receptions (117) and yards (1,555) for a season. He showed up when Bowling Green played the Power 4 conference games. He’s got the entire package. I know that David Njoku is there, but he will be a free agent after this upcoming season. Furthermore, head coach Kevin Stefanski loves two-tight-end sets. This should give Fannin Jr. plenty of opportunities to showcase his abilities.

Round 3, No. 94: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

Grade: C-

Taking Gabriel in the top 100 wasn’t ideal for me. During the draft, analysts raved about how his value goes beyond his abilities on the field. He is a great locker room guy. Cool, I guess. Could the Cleveland Browns have found a “great locker room guy” outside of the top 100? Probably. He’s undersized, and the most likely ceiling is a solid backup quarterback. While every team needs a quality backup, it’s just too high for my liking. Maybe I’m wrong and Gabriel’s experience will shine through, but this feels like a high pick for a player who likely won’t start for you.

Round 4, No. 126: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Grade: A

Okay, back to the A grades for the Cleveland Browns. The front office must have looked at the list of Offensive Player of the Year for each conference and put those people on the board. The Tennessee Volunteer was the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American. Yes, I love Sampson’s skill set, but I especially love it based on what the team has already done. He is the physical opposite of Judkins. His speed, combined with Judkins’ physicality, could make this the backfield of the future. This likely means Chubb’s time in Cleveland is over, but the Browns should be very happy about the young backfield they have.

Round 5, No. 144: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Grade: A+

Some of you may have a shocked reaction to this grade. I’m not going to touch on why Shedeur Sanders fell. What I care about his the unbelievable value the Cleveland Browns got with this pick. Sanders isn’t a bad quarterback. You can not be impressed with the tape, but you don’t put up the numbers he did in college if there is not some level of talent. Furthermore, many analysts had him as a top 20 player. The Browns got him at 144, and he could realistically be the starter for the team in week 1. Here’s who he has to beat out.

• An injury-riddled Deshaun Watson, coming off an Achilles injury, who the organization probably wants to go away
• Kenny Pickett, who is on his third team in three years (I guess I should say Super Bowl champion Kenny Pickett)
• Joe Flacco, who was born before the release of Windows 1
• Dillon Gabriel (see above paragraph)

This isn’t a tall task. If Sanders is the talent that many people (including himself) think he is. This is the type of pick that can alter the course of a franchise. The best part is that if he is a bust, no one will fault taking him in the fifth round.

Overall Draft Grade: A-

This is a really good draft from the Cleveland Browns. Outside of the Dillon Gabriel pick, all of the picks filled a need and were a perfect fit for what the team is trying to do. Things don’t look quite as bleak for the franchise after this draft. There are plenty of players here who could become franchise cornerstones for years to come.