The reality is that many of the rumors that we will hear this week will fizzle and die as just that. Teams, agents and media will spend the last 48 hours or so of the NFL draft process unloading information in an attempt to gather one last nugget that they think can help their cause.
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That doesn’t mean all rumors are false, but that most are unlikely to come to fruition. On Tuesday, we heard multiple rumors that the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants were getting calls for the second and third picks. Given the drop-off after WR/CB Travis Hunter and DE Abdul Carter, it makes sense that some teams are aggressively trying to get their hands on those guys.
QB Cam Ward can hear the echo of his name being called first, with the Tennessee Titans making it clear that they are not moving that selection.
Of the rumors that seem to be growing is that the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the youngest GM in the league and second youngest ever (behind the Browns Andrew Berry), want to move up. Brian Baldinger of The NFL Network was among those either hinting (while others have directly noted) the Jaguars as a trade candidate:
#nfldraft could a major trade be brewing in the top 5 in the next 48 hours?? I am having premonitions #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/lYSeoMvOOM
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 22, 2025
There is the possibility that Jacksonville could be the one moving down, but GM James Gladstone might want to make a big splash in his first move as a general manager.
I reached out to JP Acosta (a noted Jags fan) of SB Nation to gauge his thoughts on a Jaguars move from the fifth spot up to number two. The two of us agreed on what a deal might look like that each team could swallow:
Jacksonville gets pick #2 (Most likely to select Hunter)
Cleveland gets pick #5, #36 and the Jaguars 2026 1st round pick
Acosta noted that Gladstone might try to trade their two third-round picks (#70 & 80) instead of their second rounder, but the Browns will likely hold out the second and slightly more than the noted offer above. That demand could make for intense negotiations on draft night.
The deal could make sense for both teams:
- Jacksonville believes that Hunter is a game-changer and that better coaching and health will put their roster back in playoff contention immediately. The drop-off after Hunter and Carter also incentivizes the move
- Cleveland gets to build their roster with two quality picks and would be betting on one of two teams that earned top-five picks in 2024 to also be bad in 2025, so a top-level quarterback is in play (or packaging the picks to go up and get one)
Browns Mock Draft after trading down
Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator helped create this mock draft
1st round
DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Graham is just on the outside of the elite players in this draft and could help create a dynamic interior pass rush, along with Michael Hall, next to DE Myles Garrett.
2nd round
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The board fell really well for Cleveland with TE Colson Loveland, RB Omarion Hampton, WR Luther Burden III and RB TreVeyon Henderson still there. Egbuka is an elite route runner with great hands who can make defenders miss and is tough over the middle.
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Start the “no way he will be there” (which might have started with Egbuka), but a few talented backs will fall and Hampton was still on the board. Big, strong and fast, Hampton will help the offense stay on rhythm and help whoever is the young QB in 2026 as well.
3rd Round
OT Emory Jones, LSU
If the Browns are gearing up for a quarterback in 2026’s NFL draft, getting more help on the offensive line is a must. Jones might not start as a rookie but has the upside at right tackle or at either guard position to be a top 10 player by the end of his rookie deal.
DE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
Attempting to add to positions many want Cleveland to address with the second pick, Gillotte is nowhere near the prospect Carter is but is a highly athletic player who can bend the edge and get to the quarterback.
4th Round
S Billy Bowman, Oklahoma
John Johnson III and Juan Thornhill didn’t work out in free agency so maybe drafting the next free safety will. Bowman isn’t a big player but has the quickness and speed to cover a lot of ground and make plays.
6th Round
TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson
S Kitan Crawford, Nevada
OG Joshua Gray, Oregon State
DT Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
The Browns have a ton of picks here in the sixth round and continue to add to the offense with Briningstool at tight end, while Crawford has range for days and should help on special teams right away and Gray gives Cleveland another long-term starter option when Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller move on.
Hamilton was once seen as a Day 2 selection, but had to be the pick here to help clog up the lanes next to other alums of “The Game” in Graham and Hall.
7th Round
RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
The Browns finish their offensive upgrades with another running back. Mafah is a “linebacker playing running back” style of runner. He won’t run away from you, but he can help on the goal line as well as on special teams.
