The Cleveland Browns have been historically bad: inadequate quarterback play, poor managerial decisions and a plethora of other problems hinder their chances of making it far in the playoffs. However, fans are hopeful that in years to come their recent additions will help them become playoff mainstays in the NFL.
Originally the Browns had the second pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but they traded it to the Jaguars for the fifth overall pick and further draft compensation. With their new first rounder, the Browns drafted Mason Graham, a defensive tackle from Michigan University, to support their defense. Graham offers bolstered support in the already star studded defense with the likes of Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and other solid players. However, this left many fans in dismay as they believed they needed a new quarterback, but with limited options and the next quarterback going at pick twenty five it would’ve been seen as a reach in most people’s eyes.
“I think it [Graham] was a good pick because NFL games are won and lost in the trenches,” Max Sitko ’26 said.
Defense wasn’t what most fans thought needed improvement, and the front office didn’t seem to disagree. Other than the draft pick of Carson Schwesinger, a linebacker out of UCLA, in the early second round, the Browns did not pick any more defenders.
Pending the departure of former All-Pro running back Nick Chubb, the Browns had a hole at running back. In order to fill this hole they drafted Quinshon Judkins, running back out of Ohio State, in the second round, and Dylan Sampson, running back from Tennessee, in the fourth round. These two running backs are likely to be the future of the Browns running back room. However, there are some off the field issues with Quinshon Judkins that held him out of training camp, but he recently signed his contract and is looking to be back in the early weeks. It is likely that when Judkins returns he will get the bulk of the carries with Dylan Sampson and fourth year running back, Jerome Ford, being the change of pace backs.
Another skill position the Browns looked to upgrade was tight end. Even though they have Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku, they drafted Harold Fannin Jr., a tight end from Bowling Green State University, in the third round. Fannin Jr. offers versatility as a pass catching tight end and it is likely the Browns will be looking to utilize two tight end sets in order to get both players involved.
Quarterback was the most anticipated position in the draft for the Browns, and they drafted two players to battle for the position. In the third round they drafted Dillon Gabriel, quarterback from Oregon, and Shedeur Sanders, projected first round quarterback from Colorado, in the fifth round. Neither of the two are likely to start in the early stages of the season, with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco starting for at least week one. However, Flacco, a 40 year old in his 18th season, doesn’t have much time left and will mentor the two rookies. Gabriel, the older of the two rookies, impressed the coaches in his preseason play and won the job as the backup quarterback while Sanders will be the emergency quarterback.
Although the Browns chose to name Gabriel the back up, not all NFL fans are in agreement with the Browns Front office.
“Shedeur Sanders will be better than Dillon Gabriel long term,” Evan Georgiou ’26 said.
In the upcoming season, the Browns will be looking to improve on their previous year’s record of three wins and fourteen losses. The team and the fans are both optimistic that their recent additions will help them kick start a season of victories.
