Let me get this out of the way right off: I really like what the Cleveland Browns did on draft day.
Passing on Travis Hunter
I like Travis Hunter a lot. But the guy is a big risk, big reward kind of pick. There hasn’t been a guy like him in the NFL in like a 100 years, if ever. But while he is a tremendous athlete who impresses on both sides of the ball, will he excel at one spot or both? Or is he bound to be the next Reggie Bush – a solid athlete and contributor, but that’s all?
With those kinds of questions, trading back in the draft and picking up a high second-round pick as well as a 2026 first-round pick was a no-brainer. It allowed the Browns to pick up a really good defensive tackle, a position of tremendous need for them. If Mason Graham turns out to be even a solid DT, Cleveland’s defensive line is downright scary going forward.
Reloading the Roster
Cleveland also filled several positions of need. They grabbed linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who they need with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s status in significant doubt. Even if JOK is OK, the linebacker has been a pain point for Cleveland for a few years now. Tight end Harold Fannin is a good balance for David Njoku and gives the Browns the 1-2 punch at the spot that head coach Kevin Stefanski has wanted for years.
Rushing Attack
After that horrific rushing attack in 2024, the Cleveland Browns had to make running back a priority, and they certainly did. Cleveland nabbed a potential thunder and lightning pair of backs in the 2nd and 4th rounds. Quinson Judkins should take over as the Browns’ thumper and short-yardage back immediately, a role he excelled in with Ohio State in 2024. He also gives Cleveland some Nick Chubb vibes, and could eventually take over the full-time role down the line.
Dylan Sampson, fourth-rounder out of Tennessee, is a classic speed back who should almost immediately supplant 2024 starter Jerome Ford as the speed guy/change of pace back, who seems like a trade candidate. Ford is a speedy back who has yet to develop any kind of field vision. He has a decent rushing average, but he balances the one and two-yard rushes on first and second downs with the odd big break.
That said…
The Batsignal
The Cleveland Browns need to throw up the bat signal and bring Nick Chubb back into the fold. Chubb looked like a shadow of himself last season, but that was to be expected after suffering such a horrific injury. The fact that Chubb was back on the field at all just over a year later was a testament to his work ethic.
Chubb is a fan and locker room favorite, and if Cleveland is serious about competing in 2025 – and I think they can – Chubb needs to be a part of that leadership. If he has a smaller role, giving up carries to a three-headed attack with Judkins and Sampson, then so be it. But if he can play at even 80% of what he used to be, he’ll be a value add at this point.
That’s enough for today. I’ll be back in the next week or so with discussion about the quarterback competition, as well as how the Cleveland Browns might fill some other key positions of need.
