Browns are leaning toward this player with No. 2 pick in draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and the top of the board is already taking shape.

ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on "NFL Live" that the Cleveland Browns are "leaning towards" taking Penn State defender Abdul Carter with the second pick in the draft.

Quarterback is a need for the Browns, as Deshaun Watson could miss the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering a setback from his original Week 7 injury in January.

However, with Miami QB Cam Ward likely being the No. 1 pick, Cleveland would be left with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart as alternative options.

The Browns' front office should select Carter. As stated, quarterback is a void Cleveland must fill at some point this offseason, but the Browns should not force a pick on a player they are not completely sold on.

Just because a team drafts a quarterback, does not automatically mean that player will pan out. The Browns are a prime example of a franchise taking multiple shots at quarterback and not finding success with that player. Since 1999, the Browns have had 40 different quarterbacks start at least one game. 

Not to mention, Ward — who will most likely be unavailable at No. 2 — Sanders and Dart are nowhere near the prospect Carter is.

With Myles Garrett now under contract for the foreseeable future, Cleveland has the opportunity to form one of the most disruptive edge-rushing combinations in the league.

The former Nittany Lions pass rusher accumulated 41 tackles for loss, 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in three seasons at Penn State.

Taking potentially the best player in the draft, despite his injury concerns, is not a bad place to start when rebuilding a roster that was held back from poor quarterback play in 2024.

Watson was abysmal in his limited time on the field, Jameis Winston was a turnover machine and Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe are afterthoughts.

Carter will be an immediate impact player, allowing Cleveland to methodically fill out the rest of the roster.

In addition, the Browns can address the quarterback position in other avenues. Bringing in Kirk Cousins is a legitimate option for Cleveland in 2025, and that does not necessarily mean he would be the Browns' long-term answer.