Mock Draft 2.0: Browns Don't Risk Losing No. 1 Quarterback

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton had a great Combine, but was still there at No. 33 for the Browns in mock 2.0.

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton had a great Combine, but was still there at No. 33 for the Browns in mock 2.0.


Mock draft 2.0: Browns don't risk losing No. 1 quarterback

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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

One of the checkpoints of mock draft season is the NFL Combine, which passed last week in Indianapolis.

Two themes were prevalent at the Combine:

1. Cam Ward of Miami cemented his spot as the No. 1 quarterback among draft experts and NFL teams.

2. Tennessee, for now, is open to trading the No. 1 pick.

The Titans are amping up their draft research with personal visits over the next week with Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. After this next phase of their draft odyssey, the Titans will assess whether they put the No. 1 pick up for sale and at what price.

For the second mock in a row, I have them trading the pick. But that could change if they fall in love with Ward or Sanders.

This is the last mock draft before free agency officially starts on March 12. That’s when mocks become more pertinent as teams fill needs through free agency.

Mock draft 2.0

1. ** TRADE ** Cleveland: QB Cam Ward, Miami

(Browns trade 2025 No. 2 overall + 2025 No. 67 + 2026 third-round pick to Titans for 2025 No. 1.)

Comment: Browns aggressively nab the top-rated QB.

2. Tennessee: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Comment: This is dependent on Carter passing medical concerns about a stress reaction in his right foot.

3. N.Y. Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Comment: Giants aced out by Browns in trade to No. 1 and get their guy anyway.

4. New England: CB-WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Comment: Patriots can’t justify taking an offensive tackle over explosive two-way phenom.

5. Jacksonville: DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Comment: Jaguars unswayed by Graham’s unimpressive testing scores.

6. Las Vegas: WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Comment: One of the biggest risers from the Combine grabs Tom Brady’s attention.

7. N.Y. Jets: QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Comment: Why not? He broke Eli Manning’s records at Ole Miss and had a very good Combine.

8. Carolina: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Comment: Another Combine winner moves up in Round 1.

9. New Orleans: EDGE Jalen Walker, Georgia

Comment: One of the many off-ball pass rushers in the draft who need to be used like Micah Parsons.

10. Chicago: OT Will Campbell, LSU

Comment: Bears choose best tackle over best guard.

11. San Francisco: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona State

12. Dallas: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

13. Miami: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

14. Indianapolis: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

15. Atlanta: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

16. Arizona: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

17. Cincinnati: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Comment: Bengals need defensive starters on rookie contracts.

18. Seattle: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

19. Tampa Bay: WR Luther Burden, Missouri

20. Denver: TE Coleston Loveland, Michigan

21. Pittsburgh: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Comment: Steelers hold off on defensive line help until second pick.

22. L.A. Chargers: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

23. Green Bay: DB Will Johnson, Michigan

24. Minnesota: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

25. Houston: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

26. L.A. Rams: OT Armand Membou, Missouri

27. Baltimore: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Comment: Assuming Ronnie Stanley leaves in free agency.

28. Detroit: EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee

29. Washington: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

30. Buffalo: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

31. Kansas City: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

32. Philadelphia: EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

33. Cleveland: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Comment: Browns resist multiple trade offers and select next feature running back.