Considering draft options for the Browns
- col-aaron-dorksen
- April 21, 2025
- 473
A few thoughts from the week in sports …
When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, far and away the biggest question fans have been asking for the past three months is this: “Should they or shouldn’t they draft a quarterback with the second overall pick?”
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc. With the draft less than a week away, I don’t have the foggiest idea what the Browns will do. I doubt if they do either.
I’ve tried to think about this question from every possible angle.
The two top-rated quarterbacks are Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shaduer Sanders. The Tennessee Titans might take Ward at No. 1, so that would leave the Browns deciding if Sanders is their future franchise leader.
If the Browns’ front office staff thinks either of those signal callers will make a future All-Pro NFL quarterback, Cleveland should select one of them.
Looking at Cleveland’s current quarterback room with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson, it does not lead to much optimism.
Sure, Flacco was great in 2023 in getting off the couch to help lead the Browns to a 4-1 record in his starts and the playoffs. However, it seems highly unlikely that a now aged 40 Flacco could pull off an encore run to the postseason. He was only 2-5 in starts for the Colts last year.
Pickett throws too many interceptions, and my guess is 99% of Browns fans don’t ever want to see Watson suit up again for Cleveland.
The NFL is completely quarterback-driven, and you need a standout at that position to reach the playoffs and make a run.
The biggest problem for Cleveland is that most Browns fans simply don’t trust the front office to get this year’s second overall pick right.
From the admitted swing and a miss on trading for Deshaun Watson to countless other botched draft picks and trades, this franchise has a history of ineptness since returning to the league in 1999.
Mel Kiper Jr., the most famous draft prognosticator, had the Tennessee Titans selecting Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, the Browns taking Colorado two-way performer and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter second, and the New York Giants selecting Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter third.
Kiper has Sanders sliding down to No. 9, where the Saints will pick him.
If Jimmy Haslam asked me to phone in the Browns’ pick to commissioner Roger Goodell, I’d say, “Cleveland selects Travis Hunter.” He has a chance to be a great impact player as a cornerback and wide receiver.
BUCKEYES IN THE DRAFT — It will be fun to see where the many standouts from Ohio State’s national championship team go in the draft. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and guard Donovan Jackson are projected first-round picks, while tackle Josh Simmons, running back Treveyon Henderson, RB Quinshon Judkins and edge rusher JT Tuimoloau are slated for the second round.
Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, edge rusher Jack Sawyer and quarterback Will Howard are projected for the third round.
One interesting option for the Browns is to get a quarterback in the second or third round, maybe Howard or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo is a throw-back, power runner, and he would be a great addition to the Lakefront.
READERS’ TAKE – I put the Browns draft question out to my friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter regarding the No. 2 overall pick. About 90% said, “Don’t take a quarterback at that spot.”
Here are some hot takes:
Dan Fulk, Jeromesville — “Only if somehow by chance Cam Ward was available. I go Hunter at 2, get your best QB at 33, maybe move up a few (if not too costly). Not a fan of Dart.”
Josh Carey, Rittman — “With the crop that’s available this year, no. Build up the team around the quarterback, use what you have this year. Take a swing when you feel there’s a true franchise guy available.”
Amanda Baker, Loudonville, relaying husband Mat’s pick — “No, they need to take that defensive end (Carter). Better quarterbacks coming out next year.”
Ben Wilcox, Millersburg — “I think Hunter makes the most sense — he can help both sides of the ball if needed — I’d prefer 2nd pick for LT/DE, then RB and QB.”
Here are two for Shadeur Sanders!
Nicole Camp, Norwayne alum — “I may be biased, but Shadeur is my pick. Or, I might be a glutton for punishment.”
Rich Siegenthaler, Wooster — “I am sure whatever the Browns do, it won’t be successful. As I see it, they let a fighter and winner go in Baker Mayfield who would have been the heart and soul in Cleveland for years and tons of draft picks. Sanders is a winner. He has heart and swagger.”
These were some of the many great comments I received. Unfortunately, I agree with this next take.
Drew Beichler, Smithville — “We all know, whoever they pick, will be the wrong pick.”
As much as this region wants to support a winner, the Browns’ owner and front office always seem to mess it up.
PARTING SHOTS — Congratulations to Wooster High School alum Mason Tomblin, who was hired by new College of Wooster football coach Austin Holter as the Scots’ defensive coordinator.
Tomblin played for Ohio Wesleyan and had been most recently an assistant coach at Iowa State.
*Devin Haid, a Wooster High School alum, has entered the NCAA transfer portal after having an outstanding junior season for Central Connecticut. Haid led the Blue Devils with 14.2 points a game, helping them to the Northeastern Conference championship game, where they came up just short of advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Haid, a 6-foot-5, 190-pounder, has reportedly narrowed his final three schools to Cincinnati, Texas and Kansas.
Aaron Dorksen can be emailed at aarondorksen24@gmail.com.