Rumors have been all over the place but here is a prediction of how the Browns QB, early draft plans
The NFL draft kicks off in less than a month, April 24th to be exact, and the Cleveland Browns will be on the clock quickly. The rumors have been all over the place but anyone saying they know for sure what the Browns will do is either lying or delusional.
Cleveland GM Andrew Berry and company likely have not solidified their plans yet.
Some of that is due to the uncertainty at the top of the NFL draft. If the Tennessee Titans do not select QB Cam Ward, the Browns plans could change drastically. QB Kirk Cousins, who holds a no-trade clause, is reportedly waiting to see what teams do in the first round of the draft before, along with his team the Atlanta Falcons, finalizing his plans for 2025.
Cousins’ visit to the Cleveland area Thursday was reportedly for “non-football reasons,” but not everyone is buying that.
In mid-January, I shared a number of rumors I had been hearing. I also noted the Browns interest in trading for WR Brandon Aiyuk following the NFL combine. Based on everything I have heard over the last month or so, here are my predictions for a few of the important decisions Cleveland’s brass will make (in timeline order):
Brandon Aiyuk is not traded to the Browns
There are too many issues with Aiyuk’s contract to make the deal work, especially depending on who the Browns are interested in at the top of the draft. Aiyuk’s situation has to be resolved by the start of April so a decision should be made soon.
It would not be shocking to see Aiyuk as a free agent in the near future, given his injury and contract, but the San Francisco 49ers might be concerned about losing another weapon as well. If Aiyuk is a free agent, Berry will make a call but the speedster might have better options.
Second Overall Pick
Select WR/CB Travis Hunter
The Browns are open to trading the pick or selecting DE Abdul Carter but the explosive ability of Hunter has them very intrigued. Hunter joining the cornerback room sometimes helps his stock but his ball skills, change of direction ability and raw athleticism has folks in Berea very excited.
Browns Second Selection
Select QB Jalen Milroe
Now, I had to be cautious in how I worded the header here, as I am not sure if Cleveland will feel the need to trade up into the backend of the first round to get Milroe. They may also want to do so to control the quarterback for five years instead of four.
If the Browns trade out of the second overall selection, they will end up with a lot of flexibility to select Milroe, even if they have to be overly aggressive.
While Milroe’s college film has a lot of concerning issues, his footwork improvement was obvious at both the NFL combine and his Pro Day. Much like Hunter, Milroe has an exceptional athletic gift and can be developed, much like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were, over time into a better passer.
He just needs time and someone to learn from….
Browns Trade for Kirk Cousins
At this point, Cousins and the Falcons want and do have some control over the outcome but neither wants to stay together. In this scenario, Cousins sees Hunter (along with Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and David Njoku) as helpful to his career, appreciates HC Kevin Stefanski and knows that Milroe is a project that he can help (which will help him in 2026 NFL free agency).
The trade is likely a conditional 2026 draft pick (5th rounder that can become a 4th or 3rd, depending on playing time, team success), with the Falcons eating a good chunk of salary to even get that pick. They can bluff about keeping Cousins as a backup, but they just want a pick. Cleveland’s selection of Hunter and Milroe helps them believe Cousins will hit playing time and the team might hit the escalators to potentially give them a third-rounder in 2026.
A defensive player like DE Ogbo Okoronkwo or CB Greg Newsome II could also be involved in a trade.
Running Back(s) Selected in Round 3 or 4
RBs Quinshon Judkins and Kaleb Johnson would fit the need
With Cousins and then Milroe planned at quarterback, Cleveland needs a solid run game (even if we expect Nick Chubb to be back for one more season). Judkins and Johnson could both find themselves “falling” due to the impressive draft class at running back this year.
Adding a back or two, along with an offensive lineman for the future, would secure the offensive plan for 2025 and beyond.
Defense May Not Get Early Attention in the NFL draft
Cleveland has too many future holes to use this draft to fix them all. In a lot of ways, the Browns need to rely on DE Myles Garrett and DC Jim Schwartz’s system to help fill in the gaps, much like offenses tend to do with highly paid quarterbacks.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see many of the late-round picks used on defense and a few veterans added in free agency after the draft. Free agents might be more interested in taking a one-year deal after the addition of Hunter, Cousins and the running backs.
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