Let’s fight: What should Cleveland Browns do with NFL Draft’s No. 2 overall pick?

The 2025 NFL Draft really starts at No. 2 with the Cleveland Browns. Let us know what they should do in the comments.

As we get closer and closer to the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it feels like the Tennessee Titans’ decision at No. 1 overall is coming into focus. After a flurry of ... let’s just say ... interesting free agent moves, it seems like the Titans are going to pick Miami QB Cam Ward. Although they could surprise by picking Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at 1 (which makes a lot of sense considering their major gap on the edge), most pundits have the belief that Ward will be the first player off the board.

Which leaves us at No. 2 with the Cleveland Browns. The draft really starts here, but Cleveland has done a great job of holding their cards close to their chest, not really displaying what they truly want to do. So, let’s go through and break down all the potential options they have.

Trade Back

I think this is what most Browns fans want Cleveland to do, but I think as we get closer to April, it’s less likely they trade out. Unless a scenario arises where the Titans pick Carter and a QB-needy team gets froggy, I think this one is may be wishful thinking.

Yet, there’s still a chance. So why would the Browns trade out of this spot? I think they want to stockpile picks and build the team without forcing themselves to take a QB. Cleveland hasn’t really shown much allegiance towards any of the QBs, but if they can get a team that’s needy for a QB to trade up (cough cough New Orleans) they absolutely will. That way, they can stockpile picks and then go and pick the best player available. If they could get around the 7-12 range they could still pick up players like WR Tetairoa McMillan, EDGE Shemar Stewart, or DT Mason Graham potentially.

Select Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at 2

This seems like the best option for Carter and the Browns. Although Cleveland signed EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to a one-year deal, it shouldn’t stop them from trying to add to the room via one of the best overall players in this class. Carter has a terrifying blend of violence and burst, and would give the Browns a really awesome 1-2 punch of Carter and EDGE Myles Garrett, setting them up for the present and the future of their defensive line.

On the flip side of this, the drawback is potentially having to spend a Day 2 pick on a QB, in a class where that might not be the best option. I’m not a huge believer in the second round QBs in this class, but Cleveland has been linked to Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (Browns’ OC Tommy Rees was Milroe’s OC at Alabama in 2023) and I could see them making that decision at 33 if they opt to not take a QB at 2.

Select Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter at 2

Rinse and repeat for Carter, although the fit for Hunter is a bit more interesting than Carter. While the Penn State EDGE is ... well ... an EDGE, Browns’ GM Andrew Berry believes Hunter is a wide receiver in the NFL, and not a cornerback:

While I think Hunter is a great receiver, is he a receiver worth taking with the second overall pick? I tend to lean towards no, but you can see the fit there in Cleveland. Outside of WR Jerry Jeudy, the Browns’ receiver room is in pretty dire straits, with Michael Woods II potentially getting a lot of run. Hunter is a shot of lightning with his ball skills and leaping ability, and playing him at receiver and moonlighting him as a corner makes more sense for the Browns than other teams, given how much depth they have at cornerback as well.

Pick a QB at 2

Now, before we break this down there’s one thing that needs to be mentioned upfront first: if the Browns are drafting a QB because they think either Ward or Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders can be their guy, then that’s a great reason to draft one. However, if they’re drafting one just because they need one and are throwing stuff at the wall, that’s the wrong premise. “There’s a QB here so we should just take him” is a terrible process for drafting a guy who will be the face of their franchise. Either fully believe in one of the guys at 2 or don’t take them at all.

With that being said, in the slight chance Carter is taken before Ward the Browns have a fascinating choice ahead of them. While I think both Ward and Sanders are more late first round prospects than top of the line guys, they play in extremely different ways. Sanders is a bit more buttoned up, wanting to play with timing and anticipation behind a Colorado offensive line that was below-average at best and a receiver room that was freelancing at times. Ward is a bit looser (although he’s shown the capability to play from the pocket), but his footwork and decision making leave a lot to be desired. Neither guy has overwhelming athletic tools, but Ward has the edge over Sanders in that department. In head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense, I think Sanders might be a better fit, but Ward might offer more of the explosive plays that Cleveland thought they would get from QB Deshaun Watson.

It’s an interesting decision to make for Cleveland, but this is what the draft is about. This is where they earn that paycheck, and from here the draft really starts.

What should Cleveland do at No. 2 in the NFL Draft?

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