The Browns own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they didn’t wait until April 24 to make a franchise-altering move this offseason.
Cleveland on Sunday agreed to terms with Myles Garrett on a monstrous contract extension for the standout pass-rusher. Garrett, according to multiple reports, soon will make $40 million per season and he’s guaranteed $123 million on his next deal.
Garrett’s reported pact with the Browns could impact the Patriots in multiple ways. For starters, New England no longer can consider a pursuit of Garrett, who requested a trade out of Cleveland leading up to Super Bowl LIX. But perhaps more importantly, the six-time Pro Bowl selection’s payday could play a hand in determining who’s available to New England on Day 1 of the draft.
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Last week, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported there was “overwhelming belief” among league sources he spoke to who believe the Browns will take a quarterback at No. 2. Garrett’s deal probably won’t alter that plan, and it’s easy to make the case that Cleveland should prioritize a Deshaun Watson exit plan with its first pick. However, such a strong commitment to Garrett could have a ripple effect on the Patriots if the Browns decide not to select a signal-caller in Round 1.
In that scenario, Cleveland very well could lock in on Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. Abdul Carter arguably is the better bet on such a high draft pick, but the Browns might not want to use a premier asset on another pass-rusher with Garrett tied to the franchise through the 2030 season. Sure, you can never have enough talented defenders who can get after the QB, but Cleveland simply might view Hunter as a better fit and use of the resource at this point.
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And if that results in Carter slipping to No. 4, the Patriots might feel like they pulled off a robbery. The Penn State product arguably is the best player in the entire class, and he seems to like the idea of being coached by a fellow former Big Ten linebacker, Mike Vrabel. New England doesn’t currently roster an elite pass-rusher, and Carter could fill that void in spades.
Either way, the Patriots are set up to land a game-changer when they go on the clock late next month.