It might not be if the Cleveland Browns will move on from Deshaun Watson, it will be who they will select in the 2025 NFL Draft to replace him.
With the Browns currently holding a top 10 pick if the 2024 NFL season ended today, this AFC North squad could have some interesting names to select from come draft time. One of those names is Jalen Milroe.
The Alabama quarterback has been one of the hottest signal callers in college football this season, which has seen his NFL Draft stock rise. With 1,937 yards passing on the season, the 6-foot-2, 255-pound junior has displayed a dual-threat ability that will entice a team like the Browns, especially if there are playmakers around him.
CBS NFL Mock Draft: Browns go with Milroe at No. 5
In Chris Trapasso’s latest CBS Mock draft, the Browns will be aggressive in taking care of their future quarterback needs. If they do stick with Watson, he will be coming off a torn Achilles and Cleveland will be making this selection for beyond the 2025 NFL season as Watson will become even more of a question mark moving forward.
In his latest mock draft, Trapasso writes:
“Who knows what the Browns will do in 2025 with Deshaun Watson, but even if ownership wants its uber-expensive quarterback on the field next season, he will be coming off a torn Achilles, which can sometimes be a 12-month injury. Here, Cleveland essentially stashes the high-upside Milroe on the roster.”
It is hard not to agree with Trapasso’s vision here. Milroe does process the same traits as Watson did when he was the Watson that earned the big contract from his days with the Houston Texans. Not only does he have a big earm, Milroe has displayed an ability to make plays with his feet which is an attribute that has been a winning formula for rookie quarterbacks entering the league, especially with the success Jayden Daniels has had with the Washington Commanders.
Combined with what C.J. Stroud did with the Texans in his rookie season, NFL teams in the NFL will look for similar playmakers at the quarterback position like Daniels and Stroud.
Is Milroe that type of player?
Again, if surrounded by the right kind of playmakers and coaching, he could find success in the NFL, especially if that does involve learning behind Watson or another veteran for a year.
But let’s not pretend Milroe will be the only option with such skills for the Browns.
NFL Mocks sees Sheduer Sanders as an interesting choice
Unlike the 2024 NFL Draft, the top QB talent can go from anywhere from top 10 selections to the mid-to-late selections depending on the needs of other teams selecting in the top of the draft. In other words, there is no Caleb Williams in this draft, but there are intriguing choices like Milroe and a player like Sheduer Sanders who NFL Mocks has the Browns selecting as a top 5 pick.
Like Milroe, it’s the mobile ability that will intrigue a team like the Browns, but would Deion Sanders want his quarterback and son playing in a cold weather climate like Cleveland? The NFL legend and Colorado head coach has been vocal about what teams he wants his son playing for in the NFL and that noise could be enough to steer a team like the Browns in another direction.
If Miami’s Cam Ward is off the board, the Browns best bet in the 2025 NFL Draft just might be Milroe to has the skillset to be what Cleveland traded for in Watson.
