Linebacker Carson Schwesinger figures to be one of at least three Browns who could start in his first game as NFL players.
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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.
Before this year, Browns GM Andrew Berry made 37 picks in five drafts. Only five of them started their first games as rookies.
They were left tackle Jedrick Wills, linebacker Jordan Phillips, kicker Cade York, cornerback Greg Newsome and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
But Berry’s sixth draft of seven players may produce as many as four instant starters.
As the Browns prepare to introduce their 2025 draft picks in uniform and on the field for the first time at this weekend’s rookie minicamp, we project the immediate roles of their incoming rookies.
First round, Mason Graham, defensive tackle
The No. 5 overall pick of any draft has to be an immediate starter, and that won’t be a problem for Graham.
In previous NFL stops, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz always had a Pro Bowl defensive tackle to complement a Pro Bowl edge rusher. Graham will fill that role now in Schwartz’s third season as DC.
Jadeveon Clowney said in his time with the Browns that a defensive tackle can have a bigger impact on an edge rusher than a complementary edge rusher.
I asked coach Kevin Stefanski if he agreed with that.
“It is difficult when you have an outside guy and an inside guy,” Stefanski said, speaking as an offensive game-planner. “There are times that you’re going to want them on the same side. There are plenty of times you’re going to want them opposite each other for obvious reasons.”
Second round, Carson Schwesinger, linebacker
Schwesinger is locked in as the starting middle linebacker alongside Jordan Hicks, as JOK’s career is on hold because of a severe neck injury suffered in October.
“We felt like Carson was a pretty unique player at the position,” Berry said. “Fast, athletic, really good in the passing game, he can blitz and he’s super smart and aggressive. We felt like he was really another modern-day archetype at the position, and we really felt like he could really elevate that position room if we can get him to his potential at maturity.”
Schwestinger was the highest-drafted linebacker by Berry. He was taken at No. 33 – 19 spots higher than Owusu-Koramoah in 2021.
Second round, Quinshon Judkins, running back
The Browns see the 6-0, 221-pound Judkins as the perfect successor to Nick Chubb in the Stefanski offense.
“Really a bell cow,” said Berry. “[A] versatile runner who can run through you, run by you, run around you. We’re really excited to have him available to us at the [No.] 36 pick.”
Third round, Harold Fannin Jr., tight end
Fannin breaks in as the complement to tight end David Njoku. If Stefanski returns to his multiple-tight end attack in 2025, Fannin figures to be a prominent player as TE2.
“With Harold, he’s really kind of the queen on the chessboard,” Berry said. “He’s a really good ball-in-hand player, can separate as a pass catcher despite being a little bit undersized. He’s really a good movement style blocker and he fits perfectly in terms of what Kevin and Tommy [Rees, offensive coordinator] want to do philosophically on the offense.”
Third round, Dillon Gabriel, quarterback
Gabriel should be considered the favorite to land the QB3 spot on the Browns’ depth chart because of his draft status.
“[A] decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with anticipation, good mobility,” Berry said. “We just thought he had a really well-rounded game. And the biggest negative that you can say about him is that he doesn’t have ideal height. But that’s not something that we felt like showed up in his game or his film at UCF, Oklahoma, and certainly not at Oregon this year.”
Fourth round, Dylan Sampson, running back
Sampson is seen as an ideal complement to Judkins and can surpass Jerome Ford as RB2.
“When you pair the two of them together, you have two fast guys that run hard, run with energy,” said now-former director of player personnel Dan Saganey. “Both guys are kind of what I would describe as like Energizer Bunny type of runners but also have power and three-down value, so they can help you in both phases. Both guys have really natural, vision, strength, acceleration, speed, everything that we look for in a back in our system. So they should pair well together.”
Fifth round, Shedeur Sanders, quarterback
The hysteria of Sanders as a potential starting quarterback as a rookie stems from his dad’s over-the-top hyperbole. The fact is the Browns had a higher grade on Gabriel.
Sanders’ immense popularity, which is exemplified by his jersey sales coming in first among NFL rookies in early tabulating, should not factor in his competition with Dillon for QB3.
“We felt like he was a good, solid prospect at the most important position,” Berry said. “We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it’s a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot. So, I wouldn’t say it’s any more than that.
“Our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete. Nothing’s been promised. Nothing will be given.”