The Cleveland Browns finished their 2025 NFL Draft with a mix of expected and unexpected picks. With the first pick, they selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham to pair with veteran Shelby Harris and 2024 second-round pick Mike Hall on the defensive line.
Graham will not start immediately due to the team’s plan for six-to-eight players deep at the front of their defense. GM Andrew Berry said he wants a dominant interior penetrator like Graham, who can disrupt opponents in the backfield. Berry also praised Graham as a DNA match for the Browns’ defense.
The Browns addressed their need for playmakers on offense with Carson Schwesinger, a 2024 first-team All-American linebacker from UCLA. Despite concerns about starting linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s return timeline, Schwesinger could compete to start in the middle of the Browns’ defense.
On Day 2, Cleveland targeted skill position players Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr., a tight end who set an FBS record for receptions. The team also drafted quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was considered undersized but impressive in college. GM Berry emphasized that Gabriel’s height wasn’t a major concern.
The Browns continued their focus on the backfield with Dylan Sampson, a 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year running back from Tennessee. They added Sanders, a quarterback who slid into Day 3 and was expected to be part of the team’s quarterback room alongside Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson.
GM Andrew Berry expressed confidence in maximizing value in the draft by targeting players on the final day. With the Browns’ unsettled quarterback room, Sanders could have an opportunity to compete for a starting role and put his disappointing slide behind him.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44565712/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft-picks-2025-selection-analysis-depth-chart