Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward? What about Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter? Mason Graham or Will Johnson?
A beautiful consolation prize emerged over the last few weeks of the season, helping soften the blow of the Cleveland Browns‘ 3-14 season. Walking away with the second overall pick sure gives hope to a fanbase that needs it more than ever.
Obviously, the biggest need moving forward on the roster is the quarterback position. While Deshaun Watson remaining around in 2025 is a formality after suffering a setback, he isn’t likely to take a rep in a game for the Browns moving forward.
Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the consensus top two QBs in the upcoming draft and both are likely to be chosen in the top ten. They are also the only ones to be expected starters early in the 2025 season.
With the second overall pick, Cleveland can’t afford to pass up on the guaranteed talent at the top of this draft to gamble on a quarterback. After mortgaging away three first-round picks to acquire Watson, Andrew Berry would be very wise to draft one of the top two talents
After my initial draft evaluation, I have a total of five blue-chip players in this entire draft. Two of whom, stand a slight notch above the other three.
Fortunately, the Browns are likely to have their choice of either at the number two selection. The Tennessee Titans pick at one overall and will most certainly entertain one of the two quarterbacks.
If that’s the case, the Browns should jump at the opportunity to draft one of the two best defenders in what is a top-heavy defensive draft. The two players that should be can’t-miss picks for Berry are Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter.
Hunter is the consensus top player in the draft. He is the best overall cornerback prospect the league has seen in several years and oh by the way might be one of the best wide receivers in this draft.
Pairing him with Denzel Ward on the outside could give the Browns the best coverage unit in the league. Allowing him to play 15 snaps a game at receiver could give them a weapon to complement Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman in the passing game.
We all witnessed the impact that Carter can have on a football field in the College Football Playoffs. He is dynamic as a pass rusher and creates havoc all game despite not being fully healthy.
Pairing him with Myles Garrett would be an absolute home run pick for Cleveland. It would also allow the Browns to move on from Ogbo Okorowonko and his salary.
Many may suggest the Browns should trade down from the second pick. While that’s a possibility, it should only be considered if they feel they could end up with one of my three other blue-chip draft picks. Defensive tackle, Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson or wide receiver Tetairo McMillan would fit that bill.
While the pressure to take a quarterback at number two will increase over the coming weeks and months, the Browns need to stay true to their draft board for the obvious selection. I’m sorry to limit the mystery of this draft so early, but you need to hear the truth before the calls for quarterback reach the fevered pitch that will talk you into it.
What do you think the Browns should do with the second-overall pick? Is there a quarterback worth taking? Let us know in the comments below.