- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 434,840
- Reaction score
- 44
The 2025 NFL draft is rapidly approaching, with the Cleveland Browns holding the No. 2 pick.
The Browns have a little over two weeks to finish preparing for it. The organization spent last week in Colorado, meeting with Heisman winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Browns are rumored to be all in on Hunter ahead of the draft. General manager Andrew Berry raved about his talent on multiple occasions.
The Browns must amass as much talent as possible in this draft class. After the disastrous Deshaun Watson trade, the team hasn’t drafted many quality players. This year is a good opportunity for the Browns to restock the cupboard. The team has five selections in the top 104 picks and 11 selections in the entire draft. This draft is a significant opportunity for Berry to turn down the heat under his seat. Berry must find a handful of contributors in this class.
In this mock draft, I used all eleven picks to find some of the best and most underrated prospects.. Most of the picks went to help revitalize one of the worst offenses in NFL history.
Travis Hunter is a once-in-a-generation generalist in a sports world full of specialists. Hunter’s position is that he wants to play football, as much football as he can. The position: cornerback, safety, wide receiver, returner, gunner, doesn’t matter. He’ll happily do it all. There’s a lot of doubt about whether the 6-foot, 188-pound can survive playing 70 snaps a game for 17 weeks. However, Hunter’s talent and determination are undeniable. I think the Browns should get him on the field as often as possible. People thought Shohei Ohtani wouldn’t be able to pitch and bat in baseball. Three MVPs later, Ohtani proved everyone wrong.
Hunter is the best prospect at two positions in the draft. The Browns announced they are primarily looking at Hunter as a receiver. The team has a logjam of outside cornerbacks. It would be difficult for Hunter to see the defensive side of the field. However, the Browns’ offense desperately needs a spark. Hunter would instantly be a major part of the offense. His speed and ability to catch would provide the Browns the consistency they require from the position. Hunter is a weapon that can be deployed anywhere on the field. The Browns would be wise to select him.
The Browns must find a long-term solution at left tackle. The team did a good job rebuilding their depth at the position with the signings of Cornelius Lucas and Teven Jenkins. However, due to their injury history, the team cannot rely on starting tackles Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin. The Browns have a chance to benefit from a weak offensive line class. The Browns could see a top tackle drop out of the first round. Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr., and Donovan Jackson should be at the top of the Browns’ wishlist.
Jackson played most of his collegiate career at guard before kicking outside to left tackle during Ohio State’s championship run. Jackson is a patient blocker with strong hands and fast feet. He lacks the requisite size for the position. He’s a shade under 6-foot-4, weighs 315 pounds, and has 33-and-a-half-inch arms. Jackson dominated a lot of the top pass-rushers in college football. He proved he can play the position at a high level. If he can’t cut it at tackle, he has all the makings of an elite guard. He has a powerful punch, he’s quick, and he’s nasty. Jackson isn’t done blocking until he’s chased or wrestled a defender to the ground. He is a physical player with a bully mindset to play in the AFC North. Jackson is a can’t-miss prospect. His only question is which position he’ll succeed in. The Browns should draft him if he’s there at the 33rd pick.
Kaleb Johnson is one of the best running backs in the draft class. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound running back is a locomotive with the ball in his hands. Johnson is a powerful runner with breakaway speed. Last season, he ran for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries. Johnson has fallen a bit in the pre-draft process after he ran a modest 4.57 40-yard dash at the combine.
Johnson proved his speed on the field, registering 21 runs for over 20 yards. He is a mighty back who can fit through tiny holes in the line. He accelerates through contact and runs over would-be tacklers. Johnson has a good foundation in the passing game. He catches the ball well and can execute blocking assignments.
Johnson is a classic workhorse back. An offense can give him the ball over 300 times a season and feel good about their system. Johnson is one of the youngest prospects in the draft. He would be a perfect fit for a Browns team desperate to rebuild its rushing attack.
The Browns must walk away from the NFL draft with at least one quarterback. The Browns get a guy at the end of day two. Quinn Ewers is a classic gunslinger who can beat coverages with a strong arm. The 22-year-old quarterback helped the University of Texas to the semifinals of the college football playoffs. Ewers' draft stock cratered this season as he struggled to operate the Longhorns’ offense. He was inaccurate, impatient, and struggled with pressure.
Ewers is a developmental prospect. He has a lot of potential, but plenty of bad habits. He will need a lot of time on the bench to rebuild his foundations. The quarterback has a fantastic arm, but his footwork is all over the place. It’s the reason he has scattershot accuracy when throwing downfield. If Ewers can marry his feet with his arm to fix his accuracy, he can develop into a dangerous gunslinger.
Ewers would be a good bet for the Browns. Kevin Stefanski could help simplify the game for Ewers as he develops into a pocket passer. Ewers has the athleticism, arm, and faith in the play design to thrive in a Stefanski offense. When the Browns take a swing at quarterback, it must be with a gunslinger like Ewers.
Every quarterback needs a safety blanket. Gunnar Helm held that role for the Longhorns as he led them in receptions last season. The 6-foot-5, 241-pound tight end is an every-down player for the Longhorns. He is a satisfactory blocker who can execute in the passing game. Helm would be a solid addition to the Browns as they seek a backup for David Njoku.
Helm is a jack of all trades, master of none. He is an above-average athlete with a robust skill set. Helm could help balance a Browns’ tight end room that favors receiving skills over blocking. Helm is at his best with his hand in the dirt. He’s a good blocker with a powerful punch. He doesn’t always hit his assignments, but he will hit someone. Helm is a solid receiver with a large catch radius. He is uninspiring with the ball in his hands. Helm would be a good contributor for the Browns.
Kurtis Rourke is the most underrated quarterback in the draft. Rourke hasn’t participated in the pre-draft process as he rehabs from an ACL surgery. He suffered the injury at the beginning of the season, and still managed to lead the Indiana Hoosiers to the College Football Playoffs with an 11-2 record. Rourke has all the intangibles a quarterback needs at the position. He is incredibly tough and intelligent, making him a great leader.
Rourke is a classic pocket passer, standing tall at 6-foot-4. The six-year senior has thrown for over 10,000 yards in his collegiate career. Rourke is an intelligent passer who knows where the weak points are in coverage. Rourke gets the ball where it needs to be without putting it in harm's way. He’s thrown 71 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his career.
Rourke is my fourth-rated quarterback in the draft class. He is a sharp passer who would be great in Stefanski’s system. Rourke has a humble arm but can access every portion of the field. Rourke would be a great addition to the Browns no matter where he’s drafted.
Tonka Hemingway was the top defensive tackle at South Carolina. Hemingway is a powerful athlete with great agility. The 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle plays a lot bigger than his size. Hemingway is a weapon on stunts. He can pick blockers with a strong first strike or quickly loop around to other gaps. The Browns could use Hemingway’s talents as a gap shooter. He wouldn’t be a replacement for Dalvin Tomlinson, but he could develop into a pass-rush specialist.
Cody Simon helped lead the best defense in college football. The 6-foot-1, 229-pound linebacker was a tenacious force in the middle for the Buckeyes. During the Buckeyes’ championship run, Simon racked up over 100 tackles and seven sacks. He is a fifth-year senior with the experience and knowledge to diagnose plays quickly. Simon is a good linear athlete who closes space suddenly in pursuit. He’s not an agile player, and it shows in coverage. Simon could develop into a starting linebacker in the NFL. He is an intelligent defender and a fearless tackler. The Browns could use him to rebuild their linebacker room.
Craig Woodson is a classic center fielder at safety. Woodson is a smart defender who can cover a lot of ground. He was asked to put a lid on some of college football’s most explosive passing attacks. Woodson brings a lot of physicality to his role in the middle. Woodson is always looking to hit someone. He loves to scream downfield on run plays to lay out an unsuspecting running back. Woodson is a versatile safety with a lot of experience in zone coverage. He is an intelligent player who understands where quarterbacks want to go with the ball. Woodson is incredibly underrated in a deep safety class. The Browns have desperately sought safety to stick in the middle of the field. Woodson would be an ideal fit for the Browns.
Ricky White III is one of the best players in college football. In addition to being a number one receiver, he was the best special teams ace in the country. White is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds of determination. Over the past two seasons, he recorded over 2,500 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 167 receptions. White makes plays all over the field. He must bulk up to compete on special teams in the NFL. White is a talented player who could develop into a quality receiver and special teams ace. The Browns must redo their entire special teams unit after a disastrous season. White would be a great foundational piece.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns get Travis Hunter, Donovan Jackson in new NFL draft mock draft
Continue reading...
The Browns have a little over two weeks to finish preparing for it. The organization spent last week in Colorado, meeting with Heisman winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Browns are rumored to be all in on Hunter ahead of the draft. General manager Andrew Berry raved about his talent on multiple occasions.
The Browns must amass as much talent as possible in this draft class. After the disastrous Deshaun Watson trade, the team hasn’t drafted many quality players. This year is a good opportunity for the Browns to restock the cupboard. The team has five selections in the top 104 picks and 11 selections in the entire draft. This draft is a significant opportunity for Berry to turn down the heat under his seat. Berry must find a handful of contributors in this class.
In this mock draft, I used all eleven picks to find some of the best and most underrated prospects.. Most of the picks went to help revitalize one of the worst offenses in NFL history.
1.02 Travis Hunter, Football Player, Colorado
You must be registered for see images
Travis Hunter is a once-in-a-generation generalist in a sports world full of specialists. Hunter’s position is that he wants to play football, as much football as he can. The position: cornerback, safety, wide receiver, returner, gunner, doesn’t matter. He’ll happily do it all. There’s a lot of doubt about whether the 6-foot, 188-pound can survive playing 70 snaps a game for 17 weeks. However, Hunter’s talent and determination are undeniable. I think the Browns should get him on the field as often as possible. People thought Shohei Ohtani wouldn’t be able to pitch and bat in baseball. Three MVPs later, Ohtani proved everyone wrong.
Hunter is the best prospect at two positions in the draft. The Browns announced they are primarily looking at Hunter as a receiver. The team has a logjam of outside cornerbacks. It would be difficult for Hunter to see the defensive side of the field. However, the Browns’ offense desperately needs a spark. Hunter would instantly be a major part of the offense. His speed and ability to catch would provide the Browns the consistency they require from the position. Hunter is a weapon that can be deployed anywhere on the field. The Browns would be wise to select him.
2.33 Donovan Jackson, LT, Ohio State
You must be registered for see images
The Browns must find a long-term solution at left tackle. The team did a good job rebuilding their depth at the position with the signings of Cornelius Lucas and Teven Jenkins. However, due to their injury history, the team cannot rely on starting tackles Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin. The Browns have a chance to benefit from a weak offensive line class. The Browns could see a top tackle drop out of the first round. Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr., and Donovan Jackson should be at the top of the Browns’ wishlist.
Jackson played most of his collegiate career at guard before kicking outside to left tackle during Ohio State’s championship run. Jackson is a patient blocker with strong hands and fast feet. He lacks the requisite size for the position. He’s a shade under 6-foot-4, weighs 315 pounds, and has 33-and-a-half-inch arms. Jackson dominated a lot of the top pass-rushers in college football. He proved he can play the position at a high level. If he can’t cut it at tackle, he has all the makings of an elite guard. He has a powerful punch, he’s quick, and he’s nasty. Jackson isn’t done blocking until he’s chased or wrestled a defender to the ground. He is a physical player with a bully mindset to play in the AFC North. Jackson is a can’t-miss prospect. His only question is which position he’ll succeed in. The Browns should draft him if he’s there at the 33rd pick.
3.67 Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
You must be registered for see images
Kaleb Johnson is one of the best running backs in the draft class. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound running back is a locomotive with the ball in his hands. Johnson is a powerful runner with breakaway speed. Last season, he ran for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries. Johnson has fallen a bit in the pre-draft process after he ran a modest 4.57 40-yard dash at the combine.
Johnson proved his speed on the field, registering 21 runs for over 20 yards. He is a mighty back who can fit through tiny holes in the line. He accelerates through contact and runs over would-be tacklers. Johnson has a good foundation in the passing game. He catches the ball well and can execute blocking assignments.
Johnson is a classic workhorse back. An offense can give him the ball over 300 times a season and feel good about their system. Johnson is one of the youngest prospects in the draft. He would be a perfect fit for a Browns team desperate to rebuild its rushing attack.
3.94 Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach
The Browns must walk away from the NFL draft with at least one quarterback. The Browns get a guy at the end of day two. Quinn Ewers is a classic gunslinger who can beat coverages with a strong arm. The 22-year-old quarterback helped the University of Texas to the semifinals of the college football playoffs. Ewers' draft stock cratered this season as he struggled to operate the Longhorns’ offense. He was inaccurate, impatient, and struggled with pressure.
Ewers is a developmental prospect. He has a lot of potential, but plenty of bad habits. He will need a lot of time on the bench to rebuild his foundations. The quarterback has a fantastic arm, but his footwork is all over the place. It’s the reason he has scattershot accuracy when throwing downfield. If Ewers can marry his feet with his arm to fix his accuracy, he can develop into a dangerous gunslinger.
Ewers would be a good bet for the Browns. Kevin Stefanski could help simplify the game for Ewers as he develops into a pocket passer. Ewers has the athleticism, arm, and faith in the play design to thrive in a Stefanski offense. When the Browns take a swing at quarterback, it must be with a gunslinger like Ewers.
4.104. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
You must be registered for see images
Every quarterback needs a safety blanket. Gunnar Helm held that role for the Longhorns as he led them in receptions last season. The 6-foot-5, 241-pound tight end is an every-down player for the Longhorns. He is a satisfactory blocker who can execute in the passing game. Helm would be a solid addition to the Browns as they seek a backup for David Njoku.
Helm is a jack of all trades, master of none. He is an above-average athlete with a robust skill set. Helm could help balance a Browns’ tight end room that favors receiving skills over blocking. Helm is at his best with his hand in the dirt. He’s a good blocker with a powerful punch. He doesn’t always hit his assignments, but he will hit someone. Helm is a solid receiver with a large catch radius. He is uninspiring with the ball in his hands. Helm would be a good contributor for the Browns.
6.179 Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
You must be registered for see images
Kurtis Rourke is the most underrated quarterback in the draft. Rourke hasn’t participated in the pre-draft process as he rehabs from an ACL surgery. He suffered the injury at the beginning of the season, and still managed to lead the Indiana Hoosiers to the College Football Playoffs with an 11-2 record. Rourke has all the intangibles a quarterback needs at the position. He is incredibly tough and intelligent, making him a great leader.
Rourke is a classic pocket passer, standing tall at 6-foot-4. The six-year senior has thrown for over 10,000 yards in his collegiate career. Rourke is an intelligent passer who knows where the weak points are in coverage. Rourke gets the ball where it needs to be without putting it in harm's way. He’s thrown 71 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his career.
Rourke is my fourth-rated quarterback in the draft class. He is a sharp passer who would be great in Stefanski’s system. Rourke has a humble arm but can access every portion of the field. Rourke would be a great addition to the Browns no matter where he’s drafted.
6.192 Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
You must be registered for see images
Tonka Hemingway was the top defensive tackle at South Carolina. Hemingway is a powerful athlete with great agility. The 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle plays a lot bigger than his size. Hemingway is a weapon on stunts. He can pick blockers with a strong first strike or quickly loop around to other gaps. The Browns could use Hemingway’s talents as a gap shooter. He wouldn’t be a replacement for Dalvin Tomlinson, but he could develop into a pass-rush specialist.
6.200 Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
You must be registered for see images attach
Cody Simon helped lead the best defense in college football. The 6-foot-1, 229-pound linebacker was a tenacious force in the middle for the Buckeyes. During the Buckeyes’ championship run, Simon racked up over 100 tackles and seven sacks. He is a fifth-year senior with the experience and knowledge to diagnose plays quickly. Simon is a good linear athlete who closes space suddenly in pursuit. He’s not an agile player, and it shows in coverage. Simon could develop into a starting linebacker in the NFL. He is an intelligent defender and a fearless tackler. The Browns could use him to rebuild their linebacker room.
7.216 Craig Woodson, S, California
You must be registered for see images attach
Craig Woodson is a classic center fielder at safety. Woodson is a smart defender who can cover a lot of ground. He was asked to put a lid on some of college football’s most explosive passing attacks. Woodson brings a lot of physicality to his role in the middle. Woodson is always looking to hit someone. He loves to scream downfield on run plays to lay out an unsuspecting running back. Woodson is a versatile safety with a lot of experience in zone coverage. He is an intelligent player who understands where quarterbacks want to go with the ball. Woodson is incredibly underrated in a deep safety class. The Browns have desperately sought safety to stick in the middle of the field. Woodson would be an ideal fit for the Browns.
7.255 Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
You must be registered for see images
Ricky White III is one of the best players in college football. In addition to being a number one receiver, he was the best special teams ace in the country. White is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds of determination. Over the past two seasons, he recorded over 2,500 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 167 receptions. White makes plays all over the field. He must bulk up to compete on special teams in the NFL. White is a talented player who could develop into a quality receiver and special teams ace. The Browns must redo their entire special teams unit after a disastrous season. White would be a great foundational piece.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns get Travis Hunter, Donovan Jackson in new NFL draft mock draft
Continue reading...
