Cleveland Browns 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10 draft prospect replaces Deshaun Watson
One of the projected favorites to compete for the AFC North crown, the Cleveland Browns find themselves battling for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Through Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, the Browns are sitting at 1-4 with their biggest story being what to do with Deshaun Watson.
In what is building up as the worst contract in NFL history, Watson’s struggles on and off the field may lead the Browns to turning the page following the season. How bad it gets will determine who the team selects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As it currently stands, the Browns will have the No. 3 overall pick and the team must be eyeing one of the top QB’s in the nation. Another story worth watching in Cleveland is the status of running back Nick Chubb, who has been out while rehabbing a season-ending knee injury suffered in the 2023 season. Although he looks good in working his way back, the question will be what the Browns will do with Chubb beyond this season. The four-time Pro Bowler is in the last year of his contract.
With another position of need being at tackle, the Browns will have some interesting options in the 2025 NFL Draft. When it comes to NFL mock drafts, who they select at the top of the draft could determine the fate of the franchise, especially if things don’t get better with Watson.
Current state of the Cleveland Browns
- 2024 NFL season record: 1-4, 3rd in the AFC North
- Team offense: Rank 32nd (239.4 yards per game)
- Team defense: Rank 13th (326.0 yards per game)
- 2025 NFL Draft position: No. 3
- Top positional needs: QB, T, RB
2025 NFL Draft outlook
Currently with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, the Browns will be able to select one of the top QB’s entering the draft. Although not as talented as the 2024 NFL Draft class, the 2025 quarterback class has some fascinating signal callers at the top of the draft. The big five include Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, Cam Ward and Jalen Milroe. Some second-level options are Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.
At the running back position, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the prize of the draft, but unless Watson catches fire, the Browns taking him in the first round wouldn’t be an option. Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II are two Day 2 choices who would look great in a Cleveland Browns uniform.
Some other positions of need for the Browns could be at wide receiver, tight end, anterior defensive lineman, and offensive line depth. Here is an early-season look at what Browns GM Andrew Berry and the Browns will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
3. . . Shedeur Sanders. . QB | Colorado. . 53. Shedeur Sanders.
Will the Browns move on from Watson? The answer is an astounding yes as the team uses the No. 3 overall pick to select Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This wouldn’t be the ideal destination for Deion Sanders as he has been vocal about his son and QB playing for a warm weather team, but that won’t stop Cleveland from taking a shot at Sanders.
Like Watson, Sanders is a mobile quarterback with a talented arm and a confidence that will make the Dawg Pound bark loudly. He also has the clutch gene which makes him an intriguing pick at quarterback for any team. The question for the Browns selecting at No. 3 will be whether Sanders is the right choice as Beck, Milroe, Ward and Ewers will present interesting options high in the draft.
. . Josh Simmons. . Josh Simmons. . . T | Ohio State. 34. 53
A major issue for the Browns through Week 5 has been their offensive tackle play. With Jedrick Willis and Dewand Jones struggling, the Browns will use their second-round pick on Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons. With the top tackles off the board, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Simmons is a top 10 prospect who may even rise higher by the time the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around.
With his powerful upper body strength, his ability to both protect the quarterback and block down field will make him a great fit for the Browns, a team that typically has a mobile QB and relies on the ground attack. Although Simmons is not amongst the top tackles in the nation, his experience going up against top-tier competition in the Big Ten makes him a solid second round pick.
Ollie Gordon II. . RB | Oklahoma State. . . Ollie Gordon II. 53. . . 65
Even if Nick Chubb returns in 2025, the Browns won’t turn down an opportunity to select one of the top running backs in the nation. With the No. 65 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the next great Browns running back will be Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II.
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Gordon’s combination of size and speed will remind fans of Chubb, so will his ability to turn on the acceleration once he hits the open field. He also can catch the ball out of the backfield which would make him a dual-threat option in a Browns’ offense looking to get more explosive. Although he is not currently dominating college football like Ashton Jeanty or a TreVeyon Henderson, his ability to take over a game with his ability as an explosive playmaker makes him an A+ selection for the Browns in the third round.