With the Tennessee Titans and Miami quarterback Cam Ward seemingly bound to each other with the first pick, the 2025 NFL Draft will begin when the Cleveland Browns are on the clock.
Their selection won’t be easy. The pressure to take a quarterback is perpetual, and the Browns will balance moving past the Deshaun Watson era with a competitive timeline that isn’t necessarily a passer away from arriving.
Blue-chip prospects Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter add to the decision, offering Cleveland instant contributors with elite upside and a chance to make the surrounding cast that much friendlier whenever a quarterback does come down the chute.
In the following two-round mock draft — made using Pro Football and Sports Network’s mock draft simulator — the Browns accomplished another goal: drafting running back Nick Chubb’s replacement.
Round 1, Pick 2: Colorado Receiver/Corner Travis Hunter
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry made an admission about Hunter. He sees the two-way star as a receiver first and a corner second, contrary to consensus.
Berry cited Hunter’s elite ball skills and the opportunities the Browns would have to weaponize his skill set, compared to other teams avoiding Hunter intentionally. Adding Hunter would add immediate credibility to a passing offense that is yet to find its quarterback, further unlocking Jerry Jeudy in the process.
It isn’t immediately clear how much run he’d get at corner, although he intends to play both spots at the next level, but for the Browns’ sake that’s simply house money.
Round 2, Pick 33: North Carolina Running Back Omarion Hampton
It’s awfully ambitious to compare any prospect to an All Pro, but there are shades of Chubb in Hampton’s game, making him a fitting successor in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense.
Hampton isn’t as instinctual as Chubb, running into some inconsistencies with his vision and evading tacklers in the open field. Yet, he has the frame to withstand a heavy workload, the athleticism to churn out big plays, and more than enough flashes to get excited about his development.
This offense is at its best when it can run the ball effectively, and a Hampton selection helps ensure there isn’t meat left on the bone of the offensive line’s success, further adding to the supporting cast.