With the 2025 NFL Draft less than a month away and the Cleveland Browns still without a starting quarterback, the team faces a difficult decision. Holding the second overall pick, Cleveland is guaranteed a chance to draft at least one of Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, the two best players in the draft.
However, the team is also guaranteed a shot at one of the draft’s top-two quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. In the latest three-round mock draft from PFSN’s Justin Lewis, the team finds a workaround, drafting Carter in the first round before addressing its quarterback room on day two.
Latest PFSN Mock Sends Abdul Carter To the Cleveland Browns
The Browns recently convinced star defensive end Myles Garrett to stay after the player had voiced frustrations over the team’s inability to build a competitive roster. Garrett signed a record-breaking four-year, $204.7 million extension in March, suggesting that the Browns had convinced him that things would improve.
While the team will need a quarterback to compete at the level that Garrett wants, the opportunity to build an elite pass-rushing unit isn’t something that comes around every day. Lewis acknowledges that Sanders is an option but opts for Carter.
“This pick is made with the premise that the Cleveland Browns will end up trading for Kirk Cousins. Imagine being an offensive line that has to face Myles Garrett on one edge and Abdul Carter on the other. Good luck. Obviously, the Browns could go Shedeur Sanders here if they need a quarterback, but Carter is the better prospect.”
The idea that Cleveland could trade for Cousins is an interesting one. Much has been speculated about the future of free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but there has been far less noise surrounding Cousins. Cousins is earning big money with the Atlanta Falcons, potentially putting teams off, but he won’t be happy sitting around on the bench.
If Cleveland could work out a restructured deal with the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, a trade wouldn’t be out of the question.
Browns Draft Quarterback Jalen Milroe With the First Pick of the Second Round
If the team would prefer a younger quarterback, though, there will be several options available on day two. The 2025 quarterback class isn’t thought particularly highly of. But having taken a blue-chip pass rusher in the first round, Cleveland will have to take a shot on a developmental prospect.
And they don’t get much more developmental than Alabama prospect Jalen Milroe. With the build and athleticism of a receiver, Milroe’s ability with his legs could be a massive asset in the NFL. To get the opportunity to showcase that ability, though, he’ll need to improve his consistency in the passing game.
Milroe threw 45 touchdowns throughout his college career, adding 33 on the ground. But those 45 passing scores were anchored by his 20 interceptions, 11 of which came in 2024.
Having signed former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, the team will hope that any young quarterback prospect that walks in the door will have time to grow. The Browns may hope that Ole Miss prospect Jaxson Dart is available at pick 33, but he’s taken in the first round of this mock by the aforementioned Steelers.