We don’t yet know what the Cleveland Browns plan to do with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, let alone what the rest of their draft board may look like.
Their first selection will almost certainly set the stage for how they address the rest of the draft. If they take a quarterback early, they may prioritize protection or a weapon for him to grow with. Selecting Penn State's Abdul Carter might eliminate the need for another pass rusher and push them towards a run stuffer or defensive back.
The best part about picking high in the draft? Quality talent tends to fall, becoming an excellent value for teams in need. As we continue to discuss who the Browns may or may not take on day one, we can also speculate about the best possible options that could fall to them on Day 1.
Here are some favorite second round targets for Cleveland:
A Fallen Receiver
This is a very interesting draft class at the receiver position. Notably, it is less top-heavy than in years past; there are plenty of good talents, but the lack of an elite prospect pushes mock drafts all over the place in terms of where they land. Typically, there are four top prospects: Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka, and Luther Burden III. Those four don’t always make it out of the first round, but it isn’t rare for one to slip to day two either.
The Browns could always still go receiver if there’s someone they like more than one of the aforementioned, Mississippi’s Tre Harris would certainly be a great fit as well. However, the value of one of the big four will be tempting, especially if they select a quarterback with their first pick.
McMillan likely won’t be the one to slip, which isn’t ideal, as he’s the standout among the group with his size. The remaining three all have skill sets similar to Jerry Jeudy, slightly smaller with strong athleticism, though they all do something slightly different. Golden could act as a vertical threat, Egbuka is the most polished, and Burden is the most dynamic. Which the front office prefers could differ greatly, pending who you ask, but it may just be a matter of which one falls to them.
This would, of course, be eliminated if they use the No. 2 overall pick on Travis Hunter.
The Best Pass Rusher
If the Browns pass on Abdul Carter with their first pick, addressing the pass rush becomes more of a priority. Luckily, this deep defensive line class lines up well in their favor. After extending Myles Garrett, the team would benefit from a secondary disruptor that they’ve lacked for most of his career.
Much like the receivers, there’s a decent chance a good player falls to them. Edge rushers like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, and Georgia’s Mykel Williams’ stocks have all fluctuated dramatically over the process. It’s an even deeper class on the interior, Mississippi’s Walter Nolen also sees his name slip into the 30s, even as one of the more disruptive inside presences.
Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
This is such a deep defensive line class that I think the ...
