Better days are coming for the Browns, but they might not get here until 2026. Unless Deshaun Watson miraculously returns from a torn Achilles and plays the type of football we haven't seen from him since 2020, Cleveland's quarterback position will likely be the crux of the club's problems next season.
Then again, I'm not completely ruling out Jameis Winston eventually playing effectively in Kevin Stefanski's system. It's just the veteran is unlikely to be the long-term solution at the game's most critical position for the Browns.
Which is why I'm currently advocating for the Browns to narrow their focus on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. He's an athletic freak of an athlete at a sturdy 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. And said athleticism was apparent the moment he stepped on the field in Tuscaloosa a few years ago. But in 2024, Milroe has advanced his skill set as a passer. While he's maintained his flair for the improvisational play and is a weapon in the designed run game, the Crimson Tide quarterback has looked more comfortable in the pocket, thrown with better accuracy and made smarter decisions more frequently.
There are still some rough edges to his game, which makes him the ideal candidate to get a Patrick Mahomes-type redshirt year -- and I normally don't advocate for those anymore -- in Cleveland, as the Browns inevitably start Watson in 2025, before being handed Cleveland's starting job as a "ready" second-year pro in 2026.
The draft order below was determined using the current 2025 NFL Draft order. To check out the betting odds on who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, head on over to BetMGM.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen below!
Round 1 - Pick 1
Hunter is the best player in college football with immense two-way abilities. The Jaguars need could use an elite talent at cornerback, and Hunter's dynamic receiving skills would help a sputtering offense, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
While it feels like Brian Daboll and Shedeur Sanders could clash, the Colorado quarterback is probably the most NFL-ready pocket passer in the class.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Pure "best player available" selection here from general manager Ran Carthon. Starks is a disciplined, do-everything safety who can help transform a secondary.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Milroe has the most upside of any quarterback in this class, and this is a selection with the 2026 campaign in mind in Cleveland.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
This works out perfectly for the Raiders, a club with some serious talent on defense and a burgeoning young star at tight end. Ward has the experience to step in Week 1 in Las Vegas.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
With DeMario Douglas establishing himself in the slot role, the Patriots get a classic outside wideout who can catch back-shoulders from Drake Maye.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Saints get a high-energy interior rusher who holds his own against the run, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
The Jets plan for the future at offensive tackle with Campbell. The LSU star and Olu Fashanu can be two quality outside blockers for years for Gang Green.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Panthers pick a high-upside edge rusher with serious length and power to eventually develop into an All-Pro type on the outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
With the future uncertain for Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins replenish the receiver group once again with another polished pass catcher. Egbuka could run very fast at the combine, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
No way Jerry Jones can resist the temptation of adding a premier running back prospect to this Cowboys team.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Colts stop Johnson's slide and plug him into their No. 1 cornerback role instantly because of his size, athleticism and body of work at Michigan.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Bengals address receiver given the uncertain future of Tee Higgins in Cincinnati with a multi-year producer from the SEC.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Walker is one of a few fascinating, multi-dimensional linebacker/edge rusher hybrids in this class. And the Buccaneers need more juice off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
I keep coming back to this pairing, because of all the intricate ways head coach Mike Macdonald could utilize Perkins in his defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Ewers gets to learn from another former huge recruit with a cannon for an arm before taking over in 2026.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Bond is a true downfield burner who'd give the Bears more of a vertical element instantly.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
I like the 49ers adding a premier talent up front along their offensive line to plan for the future.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Broncos just extended Jonathan Cooper, but that doesn't mean they have to stop adding outside pass rushers in a division with Patrick Mahomes. Carter can play off the ball or attack the edges on third down.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The Texans need an upgrade either at right tackle or inside at guard. Williams is a career right tackle and has the girth and power to play on the interior if needed.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Falcons have to pick an edge rusher in Round 1, don't they? Scourton looks ready to go from the jump because of his size, power and hand work.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Cardinals could still use more pass-rushing talent to this defense, and Overton has been a breakout star at Alabama this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Jim Harbaugh calls this pick in immediately when he sees the best tight end in the class still available.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Sanders is a wide-bodied upfield rusher who'd give the Packers exactly what they need on their defense for the long term.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Revel tore a knee ligament a while ago but demonstrated serious NFL-caliber capabilities and traits before the injury at East Carolina.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Pearce is a freaky specimen who's been productive across two full seasons. This is the type of outside rusher the Ravens could use in 2025.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Grant is an upfield rusher who's played like an early-round pick across multiple seasons at Michigan. He and Keeanu Benton would be a fun complimentary tandem inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Vikings add an enormous and athletic defensive tackle to make life easier for their outside rushers in Brian Flores' blitz-obsessed scheme.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
We've seen the Eagles plan ahead along the offensive line in the past, and Milum might be the best player available at this juncture.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Bills go with an NFL-ready defensive end in Sawyer who's looked like a future first-round pick for two seasons now.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Higgins is a big-bodied weapon from Iowa State. The Lions could use more perimeter talent in their receiver room.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Barron is cruising this season with seven pass breakups and three interceptions. The Chiefs add more youthful talent at boundary cornerback.
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