Even though the Cleveland Browns recently acquired backup quarterback Kenny Pickett and likely will land a veteran such as Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins at some point before springtime workouts get underway, many expect Cleveland will also select a signal-caller during the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a mock draft published on Friday, Browns reporter Tim Bielik of the Cleveland Plain Dealer predicted Cleveland will spend the draft's second pick to grab Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart. Numerous analysts think the Tennessee Titans will hold onto choice No. 1 so they can draft Miami's Cam Ward, the "consensus" best quarterback in this year's class.
"Hunter is a one-of-a-kind athlete who has played more than 100 snaps per game in the mile-high altitude of Boulder, Colorado," Bielik wrote. "Either you get a potential No. 1 receiver to pair with Jerry Jeudy or the heir apparent to Denzel Ward as the team’s top corner. It’s hard to imagine Hunter busting because of how athletic and smart he is, especially if he dedicates his time in the NFL more to one position."
Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand said as recently as this past Wednesday that he thinks Ward, Sanders and Dart ultimately will be the first three picks of the actual player-selection process. However, ESPN's Field Yates is among those who believe Cleveland could address its quarterback need later in the draft.
Bielik forecasted that the Browns will take Alabama's Jalen Milroe via overall pick No. 33.
"I’d take Milroe before Dart because not only does Milroe have a much higher ceiling than Dart," Bielik wrote, "but I also have concerns with Dart’s problems in clutch situations. Four of his six interceptions have come in the fourth quarters of games."
Milroe was previously linked with the Browns largely because he had Cleveland offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as his OC during the 2023 college season. While Milroe's draft stock took a bit of a hit during Senior Bowl week, that could prove to be a blessing for the Browns if they choose Hunter at No. 2.
"Milroe really is a project because he needs to fix his fundamentals as a passer, especially in the short and intermediate game," Bielik added. "His deep ball is a thing of beauty, and he is one of the more athletically gifted quarterbacks you’ll find."
Ideally, Cleveland would have Milroe sit behind Wilson, Cousins or even Pickett throughout the 2025 season so that the Crimson Tide product could develop as an unused backup. Unless Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has given general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski a "find me my QB at No. 2" mandate, Berry realistically could embrace Bielik's ideas.
