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The 2025 NFL league year begins tomorrow, with plenty of free agency rumors swirling ahead. The NFL Draft continues to inch closer and closer, now only 44 days away. In this mock, the Browns make some moves both up and down the board to secure some legitimate talent.
2. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
6'3" 250 lbs
In this scenario, Miami quarterback Cam Ward goes first overall, either to the Tennessee Titans or to a team that trades up to the first spot, perhaps the New York Giants, New York Jets, or a mystery organization. The Browns are more than content to remain at #2 and land the best player in the draft, Penn State's Carter, whose profile of production and athleticism resembles that of the player who now holds the title of highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, Cleveland's own Myles Garrett.
Carter is on the smaller side for a defensive end, but that didn't stop him from absolutely dominating the college football landscape. He packs an immense amount of power into his smaller frame, even though he runs around the field looking more like a strong safety. His burst off the ball is elite, as is his ability to time his jump off the snap. He has experimented with a wide variety of pass-rush moves and should continue to refine his technique as he learns the position more. The Browns would be able to move him around the line, exploiting specific matchups to blow up plays. With Carter's pursuit speed, play recognition, and fluidity in dropping back in coverage, Cleveland would almost be adding an additional linebacker and safety along with a terrifying pass-rusher.
Carter's potential is off the charts, and when he first takes the field along with Garrett, the two would form arguably one of the most talented pass-rush tandems in NFL history.
TRADE
- Browns send pick 33 to the Chicago Bears
- Browns receive pick 39, 2026 CHI 4th, 2026 CHI 6th
In this run-through, some talented players fall down the board, including Alabama guard Tyler Booker, who is very good, but also a very bad athlete, so he is not a good fit for Cleveland's scheme. The Bears decide that they want him protecting Caleb Williams, so they part with some future draft capital to move up for him, while the Browns stockpile ammo for next season as none of the top tackles remain on the board here.
39. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
6'6" 331 lbs 33 1/8" arm length 81 1/8" wingspan
Admirably, Ersery was one of the few tackles at the NFL Combine who actually participated in the agility drills, and while his times weren't great, when normalizing for his immense size, they were pretty darn good. He is on the shorter side for both arm length and wingspan unfortunately, but does meet the minimum thresholds for both. He is a powerful player with surprisingly light feet for his size, but there are some who believe he is destined to move inside to guard. Here, the Browns draft him as a tackle to see what Mike Bloomgren can do with him. If he is unable to survive on the outside, Ersery has the tools and physical profile to be a mauler at guard, giving Cleveland multiple ways to hit on this pick.
TRADE
- Browns send picks 67, 181, 194 to the Houston Texans
- Browns receive pick 58
In this run-through, some talented players fall down the board, including Alabama guard Tyler Booker, who is very good, but also a very bad athlete, so he is not a good fit for Cleveland's scheme. The Bears decide that they want him protecting Caleb Williams, so they part with some future draft capital to move up for him, while the Browns stockpile ammo for next season as none of the top tackles remain on the board here.
58. Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
6'4 1/8" 324lbs 33 7/8" arm length
Savaiinaea is not as big or explosive as Ersery, but he is faster and more fluid with longer arms. He is another college tackle who is a candidate to move inside to guard, and has the athletic ability and the mindset to excel there. Despite Joel Bitonio returning for another season and Zak Zinter being selected in the third round last year, guard is a major long-term need for this team, and Savaiinaea could solve one of those spots, plus potentially compete for a starting tackle spot in the future. Another ball of clay for Bloomgren to work with, the Browns bring the beef here in the second round, ensuring their eventual franchise QB will be walking into a good situation on the offensive line.
94. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
5'9 1/2" 219 lbs
Skattebo does not have great top-end speed, but he is an explosive back with exceptional contact balance and is extremely fun to watch. He is very difficult to bring down and seeks out contact instead of avoiding it. He ran for over 1,700 yards as a senior and added more than 600 through the air, showcasing true three-down potential. He needs to improve his pass protection skills, and he'll need to be more selective about the battles he chooses to fight in the NFL, but he has the makings of a bellcow who gets better late in games, as defenders simply tire of the physical punishment he dishes out on each carry.
103. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
6'5" 241 lbs
After a very productive 2024 campaign in which Helm showed all-around TE ability, he put up truly awful numbers in the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump at the NFL Combine, which was confusing because he didn't look like a poor athlete on tape. It turns out that he suffered a gruesome ankle sprain on a false start before his 40 run, which makes his terrible numbers make a lot more sense. Helm will heal up and re-test later on, and should display athleticism much closer to his in-game ability. The Browns need to add some TE depth both now and for the future, and Helm makes a lot of sense at this point in the draft.
165. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
5'9" 196 lbs
If Skattebo is the team's thunder, Blue is now the lightning. With only 270 total touches throughout his collegiate career (Skattebo had 338 in 2024 alone), Blue lacks impressive numbers, but that also means he doesn't have a lot of treads on his tires. He has elite speed, as evidenced by his 4.38-second 40-time, and is primarily a one-cut runner at this point in his development. He offers a lot of what Jerome Ford has, but in a speedier package. If Blue can develop patience and vision playing in a zone system, fantastic. If he remains limited to a linear change-of-pace back, that's also fine for a fifth-round pick as Ford enters the final year of his contract. Blue has more talent than your typical fifth-round prospect, but this RB class is just too deep.
TRADE
- Browns send picks 202, 216, 217 to the San Francisco 49ers
- Browns receive pick 189
With four picks to make in the final 55 selections, the Browns decide to package three of them to move up for a developmental prospect who could end up being a very good system fit.
189. Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
6'7" 314 lbs 33 1/2" arm length
There may not be a better pedigree for an offensive lineman than attending Wisconsin, and even more for a four-year starter at left tackle. That is Nelson's profile, who, despite all his experience, is still considered a later Day 3 prospect. Even with all those snaps, Nelson still doesn't look very comfortable in his pass sets. He seems rushed and his feet are too wide, throwing off his balance. He does, however, possess solid size and athleticism and does a good job staying in front of defenders. With time and good coaching, Nelson could develop into a capable swing tackle, if not a quality starter.
257. Cooper Mays, iOL, Tennessee
6'4" 310 lbs
Like Nelson, Mays has tons of collegiate experience, but the light only just came on for him in 2024. He's a smart and physical player with active hands and lots of snaps under his belt. He'd compete against Luke Wypler and assumedly a free agent for the backup center role and could be a potential practice squad candidate.