Mock Draft 3.0: Browns Move Down One Notch For Their Quarterback

Would the Browns pass up Shedeur Sanders for Jaxson Dart? Maybe so if you throw in two extra draft picks. (TheLandOnDemand)

Would the Browns pass up Shedeur Sanders for Jaxson Dart? Maybe so if you throw in two extra draft picks. (TheLandOnDemand)


Mock draft 3.0: Browns move down one notch for their 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.

The start of free agency is one of the major mileposts of the mock draft season.

Teams generally sprint out of the blocks to address their most urgent needs in the first week of free agency. As a result, mock drafts get rebooted, sometimes from top to bottom.

In our case, the start of free agency had a big impact. Our mock draft 3.0 had 26 changes from 2.0. Only seven teams had the same player taken in both mock drafts.

For the second time in a row, I had the Browns making a trade out of No. 2. This time they dropped one spot to No. 3 in a trade with the Giants. By doing so, the Browns passed on the consensus No. 2-ranked quarterback and chose the consensus No. 3 in exchange for two additional draft picks, one in 2026.

The Browns’ draft plans will become clearer when their strategy in the veteran quarterback market is finalized.

This week, they made a surprise trade for former Steelers franchise quarterback hopeful Kenny Pickett. Supposedly, he won’t be the only veteran addition to the QB room. While they wait out Atlanta’s roster move on Kirk Cousins, the Browns reportedly will host free agent Russell Wilson on Thursday.

Signing either Cousins or Wilson might be the clearest signal yet of the Browns taking a position player other than quarterback with their first pick.

Until the veteran QB move is made, however, we will proceed as if they still intend to take a quarterback with their first pick.

Mock Draft 3.0

1. Tennessee: QB Cam Ward, Miami

Comment: Titans’ lack of action on a veteran quarterback tips their hand to take best QB in the draft.

2. ** TRADE ** N.Y. Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

(Giants trade 2025 No. 3 overall + 2025 No. 65 + 2026 third-round pick to Browns for 2025 No. 2.)

Comment: Giants are deked into moving up to assure they get the celebrity QB suited for them.

3. Cleveland: QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Comment: Analytics department takes victory lap for securing Dart plus two additional third-round draft picks.

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

Comment: Defensive-heavy free agent shopping accentuated need for dynamic playmaker on offense.

5. Jacksonville: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Comment: Never expected this. Jags are gifted perhaps draft’s top-ranked player.

6. Las Vegas: WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Comment: Geno Smith needs a fleet receiver to run under his bombs.

7. N.Y. Jets: DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Comment: New coach Aaron Glenn would be glad to pair Graham with DT Quinnen Williams.

8. Carolina: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Comment: As Bryce Young improves, Panthers must support him with playmakers.

9. New Orleans: EDGE Jalen Walker, Georgia

Comment: Saints have to eventually replace franchise legend Cameron Jordan.

10. Chicago: OT Armand Membou, Missouri

Comment: Fast-rising tackle completes Bears’ massive offensive line makeover.

11. San Francisco: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

12. Dallas: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

13. Miami: OT Will Campbell, LSU

14. Indianapolis: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

15. Atlanta: DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

16. Arizona: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

17. Cincinnati: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Comment: Highest-ranked defensive player on their board?

18. Seattle: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

19. Tampa Bay: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

20. Denver: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

21. Pittsburgh: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Comment: Steelers replace departed running back Najee Harris with more explosive back.

22. L.A. Chargers: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

23. Green Bay: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

24. Minnesota: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

25. Houston: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

26. L.A. Rams: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

27. Baltimore: S Malarki Starks, Georgia

Comment: Re-signing LT Ronnie Stanley enabled Ravens to address secondary.

28. Detroit: EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee

29. Washington: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

30. Buffalo: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

31. Kansas City: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

32. Philadelphia: DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi

33. Cleveland: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Comment: Would a popular Buckeye ease departure of Nick Chubb?