The Cleveland Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving them the flexibility to address various team needs. This opportunity comes after a disastrous 3-14 season in 2024 that earned them this high selection.
So, who should the Browns target? Here are three early options for Cleveland in the 2025 draft:
EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Given the Browns’ financial limitations due to Deshaun Watson’s massive contract, sticking with low-cost quarterback options while waiting for a better QB class in 2026 or 2027 could be the smarter move. Instead, they could use the No. 2 pick to take the best player available: Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 252 pounds, Carter recorded 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 66 pressures last season. Pairing him with Myles Garrett would create a dominant pass-rushing duo, giving the Browns a chance to build an elite defense capable of overcoming their offensive struggles.
CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Browns have significant needs on both offense and defense, from pass rush and offensive line to skill positions and secondary depth. Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy-winning two-way player from Colorado, could address two of those needs at once.
Whether Hunter plays cornerback, wide receiver, or continues as a two-way player, his elite athleticism and versatility make him a game-changer. Drafting Hunter would not only give the Browns a dynamic talent but also provide a fresh face for the franchise as it moves past the Watson controversy.
QB Cam Ward, Miami
If the Titans pass on a quarterback at No. 1 and instead take a generational talent like Carter or Hunter, the Browns may have a tough decision to make if Miami’s Cam Ward is still available at No. 2.
Ward is arguably the only quarterback in this class with a strong likelihood of becoming a franchise player. Drafting him would give Cleveland a potential long-term solution at quarterback while taking advantage of the relatively low cost of rookie contracts. This could allow the team to carry both Ward and Watson while investing in other roster needs.
Trade Back
The Browns are in desperate need of help across the board, and with limited cap space due to Watson’s contract, they can’t rely on free agency. If they’re not sold on the quarterbacks in this class, trading down from the No. 2 spot could be a smart move.
By moving back, the Browns could acquire additional draft capital, including future first-round picks, from a QB-needy team looking to grab someone like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. While the future may not truly start until 2027, stockpiling assets now could help set the stage for a proper rebuild.
In short, the Browns have plenty of options, but they’ll need to carefully weigh their immediate needs against their long-term vision.
