If Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward aren’t graded high enough, a trade down could change the Browns roster, future

The Sunday after the Cleveland Browns 20224 NFL season ended was a big one. The NFL draft order was locked into place for the non-playoff teams. With their loss and the New England Patriots win, the Browns walked away with the second overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Earlier in the day, Cleveland set the direction for their future on offense by firing OC Ken Dorsey and OL coach Andy Dickerson. Following that, a report and statements from a couple of players indicated a return to HC Kevin Stefanski’s system in 2025.

We completed a Browns mock draft Sunday afternoon with a look at the team selecting a quarterback with the second pick while adding other talent around Shedeur Sanders. With a rumor already out that the Tennessee Titans “love” Cam Ward, Sanders could be the likely option with the second pick.

What if Cleveland evaluates the quarterback class and doesn’t have a high grade on any of them? We’ve seen rumors that some NFL teams do not have a single quarterback with a first-round grade much less a top-two-level grade. If so, the Browns would be wise to pump up the value of the quarterbacks and the unique skillset of CB/WR Travis Hunter throughout the draft process to try to lure a trade up.

Using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, which has free trades, we completed another mock draft with the plan to trade down once but to stay within the top eight to 10 picks. In the end, we got two offers that we could refuse.

First trade

Patriots get Pick #2
Browns get Pick #4, 37, 68, 79 and 2026 2nd Rounder

New England, which needs a new coach and has QB Drake Maye, traded up for the rare two-way player Hunter is.

Second trade

Panthers get Pick #4
Browns get Pick #8, 55 and 73

Carolina moves up to select the best defensive end in this year’s draft, Abdul Carter, while Cleveland adds more top 100 picks.

In the end, the Browns are selecting 8th overall and have added five picks between #37 and 79 as well as a second-round pick in 2026.

Now on to their actual selections:

First Round

DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Falling a bit due to his position, Graham can wreck shop on the interior of the defensive line to help create a dynamic trio with Myles Garrett and Michael Hall Jr. Graham may have been the target with he fourth pick had we not gotten a great offer.

Second Round

TE Harold Fannin Jr., BGSU

A return to the Stefanski system means more tight ends and Fannin broke out in 2024 and could be a first-round selection by the time we get to draft day.

QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Here is what we know about Milroe: Very raw passer, very athletic, great student and very hard worker. With extra picks, we will bet on those characteristics to be developed alongside a veteran (say, Kirk Cousins) for a year or two.

OT Emery Jones, LSU

We selected Jones in our other mock draft and he was still available here so we picked him up again. Jones can anchor the right side with Dawand Jones at left tackle. He had a down season but the zone blocking scheme can help overcome some weaknesses that keeps him from being selected early in the first round.

Third Round

DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Captain Jack has really stepped up for the Buckeyes in the playoffs and has good physical traits, perhaps similar to a Sam Hubbard-type defensive end. Cleveland has some depth but needs more coming off the edge.

RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Another duplication from our other mock, Henderson is an exciting back and adds to a room that needs a starter or someone who can 1-2 punch with Nick Chubb.

S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

A true free safety, Winston could compete quickly for the starting role depending on what the Browns do with Juan Thornhill.

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

The SEC Championship Game MVP, Everette has versatility and great training coming out of Georgia.

WR Kyren Lacy, LSU

The 6’2” Lacy has caught 16 touchdown passes in the last two seasons with the Tigers and gives Cleveland some depth on the outside to develop over time.

Fifth Round

RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State

With a need for running back depth and a bunch of picks, why not add the highlight of last week’s College Football Playoffs? Skattebo does a lot of things right but is unlikely to test or measure in a way that leads to being drafted much higher than this.

Sixth Round

LB Francisco Mauigoa, Miami

With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s future up in the air, the Browns need to add to their linebacker room and need special teams depth help as well.

OL Nofoafia Tulafono, Wyoming

Adding to the interior of the offensive line, whether at guard or center, is needed as Joel Bitonio ages and Wyatt Teller gets more expensive. Ethan Pocic’s down year is likely scheme-related but Luke Wypler’s injury leaves him more of an unknown.

LB Tyreem Powell, Rutgers

Another repeat from our first mock draft, Powell would go much higher if he didn’t have his injury history. A do-it-all linebacker, maybe in the Genard Avery mold, Powell will get a chance to make an impact.

Seventh Round

TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

More Stefanski equals more tight ends.

Check out the trade details and the picture of the full mock draft below then join our comment section with your thoughts on this Browns mock draft, the trade-down version.