LAS VEGAS — In the midst of a frustrating 3-8 season that has all but eliminated the Cleveland Browns from playoff contention, an unexpected bright spot has emerged: a rookie class that’s not just contributing but often dominating.
From defensive tackle Mason Graham’s interior disruption to tight end Harold Fannin Jr.’s tackle-breaking abilities and running back Dylan Sampson’s explosiveness, the 2025 draft class is providing genuine hope for the future — even as the present remains disappointing.
“If you look at the rookies on this football team and how well they are playing, you got to get excited about the Browns future,” Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot said on the latest Orange and Brown Talk podcast. “When you look at Mason and you look at Carson and you look at Quinshon and Harold Fannin. How about Harold Fannin with the YAC?”
Fannin, a mid-round selection who has emerged as a reliable target in the passing game, showcased his potential with an impressive third-down conversion against the Raiders where he refused to go down, breaking multiple tackles to move the chains.
“It was unbelievable,” Cabot continued. “I mean he breaks tackles like there’s no tomorrow. I mean he just doesn’t give up on a play.”
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Mason Graham has rapidly developed into a disruptive force alongside veteran Maliek Collins, helping to transform Cleveland’s interior defensive line from a weakness into a strength.
“In the beginning, it was so much of Maliek, and the lights have really come on for Mason Graham over the past couple weeks, and now he is just cooking with gas,” Cabot noted. “I mean, he is out there tearing it up, and that is really, really helping this football team.”
The Browns’ offensive struggles have overshadowed much of this rookie development, but Sunday’s win over the Raiders provided glimpses of what this young core could accomplish with competent quarterback play.
Fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson demonstrated his game-breaking potential with a 66-yard reception that showcased his exceptional speed — exactly the type of explosive play the Browns envisioned when drafting him.
“And I do think that’s important, that’s good enough to utilize somebody like that that you picked up on Day 3 of the draft,” Browns reporter Ashley Bastock said.
Beyond the statistical contributions, what makes this rookie class special is how quickly they’re making an impact despite being thrust into significant roles due to injuries and poor performance from veterans.
While this youth movement provides optimism for the future, it also creates urgency for the front office to capitalize on this talent while the team’s elite defense remains intact. With veterans like Myles Garrett approaching 30 and the inevitable financial challenges of keeping a talented defense together, the window to compete may be narrower than it appears.
“I think the way this defense is played should create a sense of urgency for this front office,” podcast host Dan Labbe explained. “We’re going to assume it’s Andrew Berry and Co., but whoever ends up calling the shots, it should create this sense of urgency because they’ve got something on this defense.
“You have this moment with this defense, and it’s hard to keep defenses together. They get really expensive really fast,” Labbe added.
The emergence of this rookie class presents both promise and pressure — promise that the foundation for future success is being built, but pressure to quickly solve the quarterback problem that has plagued the franchise.
Want to hear more about the Browns’ promising rookie class and what it means for the team’s future? Check out the full Orange and Brown Talk podcast for complete analysis of Cleveland’s young standouts and the path forward for the organization.
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