By: Christian Pagan
With the help of some Week 18 drama, the Cleveland Browns will select second in the upcoming draft. The Browns had a disappointing year, finishing 3-14, just after finishing 11-6 the year prior.
This season, the Browns once again dealt with several key injuries, including QB Deshaun Watson experiencing another season-ending injury.
Cleveland turned to backup QB Jameis Winston who provided a spark to the Browns, but ultimately faded after the 21-7 loss to Kansas City, where Winston threw three interceptions and got benched.
The Browns demonstrated their needs on offense late in the season after averaging just eight points per game in the final five games of the season!
Towards the end of the season, the Browns restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract, giving the Browns more financial flexibility and easing Watson’s cap hit. The restructure signified that the Browns were still committed to Watson.
But with Watson’s 2025 season in jeopardy after he re-tore his achilles, the Browns initial draft plans may have been altered and now possibly look at drafting a QB with the second pick.
Here, I give my opinion on who I believe the Browns should draft with the second pick.
Needs: OT, QB, RB, WR, EDGE
1. Travis Hunter: CB/WR – Colorado
Assuming Tennessee picks QB Cam Ward with the first overall pick, the Browns should draft Travis Hunter with the second pick. Even though cornerback isn’t a top need, Hunter is an athletic corner that would instantly plug in with Cleveland’s 4-3 defensive scheme. The Browns gave up 25.6 points per game last season, which was fourth-worst in the NFL, and the 2024 Heisman Award winner will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Browns starting CBs Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson are also on expiring deals after the 2025 season. Newsome has been in some trade talks recently and Emerson’s play is inconsistent. Paired with Denzel Ward, Hunter will fill the Browns future uncertainty at cornerback.
The interesting piece will be if Hunter plays WR as well. Personally, I’d much rather have Hunter focus on CB, but if Stefanski allows him to play WR, so let it be.
2. Cam Ward: QB – Miami
I envision the Browns ending up with either Cam Ward or Travis Hunter, which makes me very happy. Ward is a talented playmaker who can also improvise when needing to. But what stands out is how relaxed he is in the pocket, showing a ton of poise and confidence. Throwing for over 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns to his seven interceptions last season, Ward finished fourth in Heisman voting.
If the Browns do draft Ward, I can still see the Browns getting another QB in free agency with Watson potentially out for the 2025 season. Seeing Cam Ward under center will be a breath of fresh air for Cleveland.
3. Abdul Carter: EDGE – Penn State
Abdul Carter alongside Myles Garrett would be a scary sight to see for opposing linemen. Carter is a physical and dominant edge rusher, finishing the season with 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks! The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year would instantly take pressure off of Myles Garrett.
After trading DE Za’darius Smith, the Browns looked to DE Ogbo Okoronkwo to be that second edge rusher, but he couldn’t fulfill the role. The Browns finished 13th in the NFL with 41 sacks and ninth in pressures with 155. Adding Carter will definitely boost Cleveland’s defensive line
Realistic Alternate Scenario: Browns Trade Down, Draft an Offensive Tackle
Even with Cleveland in possession of the second pick, it would not surprise me if the Browns traded down and drafted a tackle. With Jedrick Wills Jr. likely playing his last snap in Cleveland and the injury concerns with Jack Conklin, the Browns desperately need a tackle.
It wouldn’t make sense for the Browns to draft a tackle with the second pick, but it sure would with the sixth or seventh pick. The Raiders and Jets are two QB-needy teams and I’m sure they will contact Cleveland asking about that second pick.
If a trade does happen and the Browns move out of two, I look for Cleveland to draft Will Campbell from LSU or Kelvin Banks Jr from Texas.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Browns traded away the second pick in recent memory. Back in 2016, the Browns sent the second pick to the Eagles, which was subsequently used to draft QB Carson Wentz. The Browns received five picks in return for the second pick.
The pressure is on Cleveland and GM Andrew Berry, which critics have pointed out Berry’s drafting mistakes over the past few years. The Browns still have a talented roster and need to plug a few pieces.
It all starts with the second pick. The Browns really need to have a good draft to get this team back into playoff contention. The Washington Commanders did it last draft, look where they’re at now.
The NFL Draft starts on April 24th and will be live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.