4 Prospects Cleveland Browns Should Avoid With No. 2 Pick In 2025 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch during the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Tennessee Titans own the No. 1 pick, and it seems guaranteed at this point that the Titans will select Miami quarterback Cam Ward. However, there’s much more mystery surrounding the Browns with the No. 2 pick.

The team has one of the worst rosters in the league and also isn’t in the best cap situation. A quarterback is needed, but the team may not want to take one at No. 2.

Instead, two-way star Travis Hunter or elite edge-rusher Abdul Carter could be the pick. However, while most are trying to guess who the team will pick, I’m going to identify players the team should NOT pick at No. 2.

Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Abdul Carter may be the best overall prospect in this class. The edge-rusher dominated at Penn State and could be the next great pass-rusher in the NFL.

Back when Myles Garrett seemed likely to leave, Carter to the Browns was a slam dunk pick. However, Garrett ended up signing an extension, making adding an edge-rusher not as big of a priority.

Adding Carter would give the Browns arguably the best pass-rusher duo in the league. However, the team has bigger needs, like wide receiver, and should wait until later in the draft to add an edge-rusher.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Shedeur Sanders is widely considered to be the second-best passer in this class behind Cam Ward.

The Browns do need a quarterback, after all. Deshaun Watson was miserable in 2024, and the veteran is now dealing with a serious injury. However, the team did bring back veteran Joe Flacco and also traded for Kenny Pickett.

Don’t get me wrong, the Browns should draft a quarterback. The team should wait until the second round though, and try to land one of the next group of passers and then develop him behind Flacco or Pickett.

Sanders needs to go to a team with a solid supporting cast. Landing in Cleveland would be a poor outcome for Sanders, as the team isn’t currently built to uplift a rookie passer.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Like Carter, Ashton Jeanty has a case to be the best overall player in this class.

Jeanty finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2024 and was the best running back in college football. Jeanty really can do it all, contributing as a pass-catcher and blocker as well.

The Browns will likely be intrigued by Jeanty at No. 2 considering Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. are the only running backs on the roster. However, taking a running back at No. 2 is a luxury pick that the Browns cannot afford to make at this point.

This is a deep running black class, and the Browns should wait until later to draft a player at the position.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Mason Graham is another player in this class that can be considered a blue-chip.

Graham was a disruptive force on the interior defensive line for Michigan, and appears to have a future as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer. Graham is widely considered to be a top-10 pick, and the Browns could be tempted by his talent.

However, the team brought in Maliek Collins in free agency and also has Shelby Harris on the roster at defensive tackle. The position is still a need, for sure, but the Browns can wait until later in the draft to address the position.