Cleveland Browns 7-Round Mock Draft 1.0

This offseason has already gotten off to a fast start, with former Pass-Game Coordinator Tommy Rees hired as the offensive coordinator. The Browns want to improve this roster after a lackluster 3-14 season. This mock draft was done on PFF's mock draft simulator without trades.

Photo courtesy of AP Photo

Round 1, Pick 2- EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Carter is far and away the best player in this class. He plays with extreme speed and explosiveness near the line of scrimmage, but he's still a raw pass rusher. In 2023, Carter was labeled as an off-ball LB, so he has the experience and ability to drop in coverage. Cleveland could select Carter to form one of the league's most dominant defensive lines.

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Round 2, Pick 33- OT Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

With the future of former first-round pick Jedrick Wills being a question mark, the Browns will look to find a young cornerstone tackle once again. Milum is an experienced and skilled run blocker who has started all 4 seasons at WV in a run-heavy offense. This could be the perfect fit in a Kevin Stefanski offense.

Photo Courtesy of Danielle DeFalco

Round 3, Pick 67- TE Harold Fannin Jr, Bowling Green

Harold Fannin is unpolished as a blocker but shows elite vertical athleticism as a pass catcher. With David Njoku staffing the TE position already, adding Fannin could allow him to learn behind one of the league's best TEs. David Njoku wasn't the best pass blocker coming out of Miami, but he improved over time. I could see Fannin fitting along that same trajectory.

Photo courtesy of Kansas Athletics

Round 3, Pick 94- RB Devin Neal, Kansas

While Neal is not as attractive as other backs in this class, his athleticism is off the charts. Rushing for 1,266 yards and 16 TDs this season, Adding Neal doesn't only provide a spark in the run game, but Neal provides a spark in the passing game as well. In 2023, He's dynamic in the screen game, showing off elite speed in open-field situations. If the team decides to bring back Nick Chubb, this could create a fun one-two punch.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Round 4, Pick 102- QB Will Howard, Ohio State

Will Howard's size and skills make me believe he could thrive in this wide-zone offense. He just finished his best season in college football, achieving a 14-2 record and throwing for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns. While he has reduced many mistakes throughout the season, he still appears unpolished in the pocket. Bringing Howard in alongside a veteran player in 2025 could significantly enhance his development as a pocket passer.

Photo Courtesy of UNLV Athletics

Round 5, Pick 165- WR Ricky White III, UNLV

Let’s try this once again: The Browns still lack a genuine deep threat on offense, and Ricky White III could be that. While he has a slightly undersized frame (6'1, 190), his ability to constantly win on deep balls makes up for it. White broke records at UNLV, setting a school record for receiving yards and tying the mark for receptions in a season. There is still much room to improve in the short and intermediate range, but he could be a diamond in the rough in the later rounds with time.

Photo courtesy of 24/7 Sports

Round 6, Pick 192- C Jarrod Wilson, UGA

Jarrod Wilson was PFF’s 102nd overall player on their big board; at 192, I had to take him. Pocic struggled in 2023, and Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are getting older. Why not draft the best available IOL? He's got a great frame (6'3 310) that could eventually transition to guard if needed. Wilson shows traits of becoming an elite run blocker but is still very inexperienced, with only 1 season of starting.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Round 6, Pick 200- S Malachi Moore, Alabama

Juan Thornhills's time in Cleveland has been disappointing, to say the least. With question marks surrounding his future, I expect the Browns to add an FS in some capacity this offseason. Moore is a ball-hawking safety with three years of playing experience in many different positions. Moore was back deep in 2024 but played most of his snaps in 22-23 in the slot. If Cleveland takes a chance on him, he would also play multiple positions here.

Photo courtesy of USA Today

Round 6, Pick 204- LB Greg Penn III, LSU

With the Browns' current LB core, a fantastic tackler who mauls in the run game is much needed. He also has a plethora of experience at LSU, racking up 264 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 50 games.

Photo Courtesy of The Chronicle

Round 6, Pick 216- LB Gaethan Bernadel, Stanford

Bernadel has been a four-year starter in college (two seasons at FIU and two seasons at Stanford), only missing two games in his first year. Bernadel shows many traits as Penn: he is durable, a great tackler, and physical.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Round 6, Pick 217- CB Mac McWilliams, UCF

McWilliams' is a feisty cornerback who plays with grit and toughness. McWilliams brings a competitive edge to run defense, showing a willingness to take on blockers and make tackles. His lack of size sometimes makes it hard to stop more prominent ball carriers. His versatility and effort provide a solid foundation for carving out a role in the NFL.

Photo courtesy of Josie W. Chen

Round 7, Pick 242- DL Thor Griffith, Louisville

There is a lot to like about Griffith this late. A flyer with elite explosiveness as a down defensive lineman (1.65-second 10-yard split), to pair with his pro-level strength (45 reps of 225!), could be an under-the-radar add to a dominant defensive line in Cleveland.

Photo courtesy of ESPN

Round 7, Pick 257- WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado

LaJohntay Wester is worth the risk this late. He became a polished receiver/returner at FAU before eventually transferring to Colorado, where he would become a main staple of the 2024 Buffaloes offense, racking up 74 receptions for 931 yards and 10 TDs. He shows elite-level speed in all facets of his game. His footwork, along with his elite speed and vision, potentially allows him to become a difference-maker at the next level.