Cleveland Browns Face Critical Draft Decision at No. 2 Pick Amid Conflicting Mock Projections

The Cleveland Browns stand at a crossroads. With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — their highest selection since 2020 — they’re not just choosing a player. They’re choosing a direction. After finishing 2024 with the NFL’s worst offense, ranked 32nd in total yards and 31st in points per game, the pressure isn’t just on the front office. It’s on the entire franchise to stop tinkering and start transforming. And the mock drafts? They’re all over the map.

Two Paths, One Team: Hunter or Graham?

The most detailed projection comes from daftondraft.football, which suggests the Browns bypass defensive talent entirely and select Travis Hunter, the two-way phenom from Colorado Buffaloes. Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback in college, is seen as an offensive weapon first — a dynamic playmaker who could immediately elevate a passing game that ranked dead last in EPA per play. "The Browns had the 32nd-ranked offense in 2024," the analysis reads, "and have stated they view Hunter as a wide receiver. Carter won’t improve that putrid offense." The piece explicitly dismisses Abdul Carter, the explosive pass rusher from Penn State Nittany Lions, as a tempting but wrong choice for their biggest problem.

But then comes the curveball. Sharp Football Analysis claims the Browns didn’t pick at No. 2 at all. Instead, they traded down — possibly to No. 5 — and selected Mason Graham, a dominant defensive tackle from Michigan. No trade details are provided. No draft capital exchanged. Just a flat contradiction. That’s the problem with mock drafts: they’re guesses dressed as prophecy. But this one raises a real question: Is Cleveland willing to sacrifice top-five leverage for a defensive upgrade?

Inside the Building: The Browns’ Own Mock

While outsiders speculate, the Browns’ own brain trust has been working in silence. ClevelandBrowns.com published its "2025 Mock Draft 1.0," featuring projections from three internal voices: Jason Gibbs, Kelsey Russo, and Nathan Zegura. Their names aren’t just attached for credibility — they’re part of the decision-making chain. Gibbs, a veteran scout; Russo, the team’s director of player personnel; Zegura, a front-office analyst. They’ve studied film, run scenarios, and likely have a preferred target. But they’re not telling. Not yet.

What we do know: Their mock covered the first four picks. That means they’re thinking beyond the obvious. They’re weighing how a trade down could net them extra picks — maybe a second-rounder for the offensive line, a third for a cornerback. They’re not just drafting a player. They’re drafting a roster.

The Offense Is Broken. Here’s How They’re Trying to Fix It.

Let’s be clear: The Browns’ offense wasn’t just bad. It was historic in its dysfunction. Quarterbacks combined for just 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The offensive line allowed 52 sacks — the third-most in the league. And yet, they signed Isaiah Rodgers in free agency. And Javon Kinlaw. And Da'Ron Payne. All defensive players. The message? Defense is being patched. Offense? Still waiting.

That’s why daftondraft.football projects them to take Jalen Milroe from Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round. A dual-threat QB with a cannon arm and the mobility to extend plays. Then, in the third, they’d grab Harold Fannin Jr. from Bowling Green Falcons — a tight end with elite route-running and hands. This isn’t a one-pick fix. It’s a three-round overhaul.

What the Experts Are Saying — And Why It Matters

Dan Parr of NFL.com saw the chaos coming. In his "2025 Mock Draft 2.0," he noted an "early run on offensive linemen" and warned that "maximum chaos ahead?" He didn’t predict the Browns’ pick, but he nailed the environment: teams trading, QB-needy franchises circling, and the Browns caught between two identities — rebuild or reload?

And then there’s the coaching staff. YouTube footage from an unnamed channel references Mike Bloomgren, the offensive line coach, and Bill Musgrave, the offensive assistant. Their fingerprints are all over this draft. If they’re pushing for a tackle or guard early, it’s not just about talent — it’s about protecting whoever steps under center next.

What’s Next? The Draft Is Here

The clock is ticking. The 2025 NFL Draft begins in less than 72 hours. The Browns have three choices: take Hunter and signal a high-risk, high-reward offensive revolution. Trade down and stockpile picks for future years. Or, against all projections, surprise everyone and grab a quarterback like Cam Ward — even though he’s already gone at No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans.

One thing’s certain: The Browns won’t be drafting for defense. Not with Kinlaw and Payne on the roster. Not with Rodgers in the secondary. This is about offense. About survival. About proving they’re not just another team stuck in mediocrity.

Background: Why This Draft Is Different

The Browns haven’t had a top-five pick since 2020, when they took Greg Newsome II at No. 26. Their last top-2 pick? 2018, when they took Baker Mayfield. That pick didn’t work out. Neither did the next three QBs they tried. Now, with a new regime under Kevin Stefanski, they’re being asked to get it right. For good.

This isn’t just about filling a hole. It’s about identity. Do they want to be a team that builds through the trenches? Or one that electrifies with speed and skill? The answer lies in the next two days.