NFL draft: 5 trade-up targets for the Browns late in the 1st round

Cleveland could package pick No.33 and others to acquire an additional 1st round pick on draft night

The Cleveland Browns currently have the No.2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but there’s a chance that they could end up with more than one first-round selection on draft night.

Depending on how the first half of the draft plays out, quite a few players could fall to the end of the first round and who Cleveland might be interested in due to multiple factors.

Five of the most realistic trade-up targets for Cleveland are:

QB Shedeur Sanders – Colorado

Despite what some are hearing about Sanders being a top-10 lock, there’s a growing sense that if the Browns decide not to select him at No.2, he could fall until the early to mid-20’s in Round 1.

If this is the case, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Browns package pick No.33 and others to move up in front of the Steelers (No.21) to steal Sanders the moment that Denver gets on the clock at pick 20.

OT Joshua Simmons – Ohio State

Simmons is undoubtedly one of the top offensive tackles in the class, but there seems to be some concerns about his injury status and overall attitude.

Even with the report of being “way ahead of schedule” regarding his patellar tendon injury that he suffered in October 2024, teams might begin to pass on him for players who are assuredly 100% healthy. There’s also been a rumor started by an anonymous scout that he’s somewhat of a diva and trashed his overall attitude.

It’s unclear whether or not it’s a legitimate concern amongst the majority of the NFL landscape, but it’s noteworthy to mention. Regardless of this, Cleveland could see Simmons as their left tackle of the future once if begins to fall.

WR Luther Burden III – Missouri

Burden is one of the most electric skill players in the 2025 wide receiver class, but some teams worry about his usage at the NFL level and have reportedly begun to drop them on their big boards, which is why he was also a part of our five options at pick 33.

There have been rumblings of him being a slot-only type of player at the next level, despite numerous examples on film that prove otherwise. Even if he is somewhat of an alignment-restricted player at the pro level, he would still be incredibly dangerous in Cleveland’s offense due to his explosive ability to create yards after the catch.

S Malaki Starks – Georgia

Starks was the top-ranked safety in the class at one point but has begun to fall on some boards due to the emergence of South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori in the pre-draft process and Texas’ Jahdae Barron’s perceived ability to play free safety in the NFL.

Starks is a true, open-field free safety who has displayed NFL-level instincts and play recognition since he was a sophomore at Georgia. Based on Cleveland’s shortcomings in the free-agent market at safety (John Johnson III and Juan Thornhill), they could be tempted to jump on the opportunity to move up for somebody like Starks in the mid-20s.

WR Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State

Egbuka is arguably the best overall route-runner in this year’s draft class and has the potential to play every receiver position at the next level.

He’d be an excellent slot weapon because he’s more athletic and twitchy than anyone who’d be covering him, and he might be even more dangerous on the outside due to his ability to consistently create separation in 1-on-1 matchups.

If the Browns can bring in an Amon-Ra St.Brown type of player at the end of round 1 and lock him into a 5th-year option, then it might be a no-brainer for them.

---

Which of these players would you want Cleveland to trade up for the most? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.