The Cleveland Browns have unofficially moved on from Deshaun Watson, putting themselves into the offseason quarterback carousel. Complicating matters for Browns general manager Andrew Berry is the uniqueness of the 2025 NFL Draft class at quarterback.
Cam Ward is the consensus top quarterback prospect this year and there’s a growing belief he will be selected with the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. That leaves Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, who multiple teams don’t view as a first-round talent, as the next best option for Cleveland.
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However, Tennessee is open to moving the first overall pick at a hefty asking price. If Berry is willing to meet it Cleveland would have its franchise quarterback for the next five-plus years, addressing a glaring issue that has plagued this franchise since they moved on from Baker Mayfield.
Speaking to reporters this week, the Browns general manager said it’s ‘unlikely‘ the team will trade up with Tennessee to go and get Ward.
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If Cleveland isn’t willing to trade up, Ward will almost certainly be on the table. The Browns could draft Sanders with the second overall pick, but it would be viewed as a reach for a quarterback prospect who lacks any high-end physical tools.
There are other options for the Browns’ front office. They could trade down from No. 2 overall with a team that wants to come up for Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter and then take Sanders later in the top 10. Another option would be drafting Carter with the second pick and then potentially selecting quarterback Jaxson Dart early in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Trading for Kirk Cousins remains an option, but the Atlanta Falcons now seem intent on keeping him after paying his roster bonus in March. If Cleveland can’t get Cousins and it passes on Sanders, there’s a very real chance of Kenny Pickett being the Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1.
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