Cleveland Browns

It looks like Colorado head coach Deion Sanders approves the Cleveland Browns as a destination for some of his draft prospects.

Sanders, whose sons Shedeur and Shilo as well as 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter played for the Buffaloes, spoke at Colorado's pro day on Friday and expressed his appreciation for Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and believes it could be a destination for one of his players.

"It was charming, it was engaging and it was cool," Sanders said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "He's a good guy and I like him. I think one of those guys is going to be there."

The Browns went 3-14 in 2024 and hold the No. 2 pick in the 2025 Draft. Hunter is a two-way star who is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

Hunter made 96 catches for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2024 while adding 36 total tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions on defense. He could impact the Browns on both sides of the ball and be a playmaker for a team that had gone 11-6 and reached the postseason in 2023.

While Hunter is the top prospect available, Cleveland's struggles at quarterback could make taking Sanders intriguing. He is the No. 18 overall prospect and the No. 2 quarterback, per Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, and was the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.

He threw for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while sporting a 74 percent completion percentage.

If the Browns elect to take either player, it looks like the elder Sanders will approve and enjoy watching while he continues to build a program in Boulder.

The Cleveland Browns selected Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter second overall before choosing Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with their Round 2 selection in the last NFL mock draft from ESPN's Field Yates.

It's no surprise that the Browns went with Carter, who is the No. 2 overall prospect on the latest B/R NFL Scouting Department big board.

He and Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter are largely seen as a cut above the rest around the industry. Pro Football Focus notably has Hunter and Carter at first and second, while ESPN has Carter No. 1 and Hunter No. 2.

In Cleveland, Carter would form a fearsome pass-rush duo with Myles Garrett, a four-time First Team All-Pro who won Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year honors last season.

However, the Browns still need to figure out a plan at quarterback. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has taken responsibility for the failed Deshaun Watson era, calling it a "big swing and miss." He's under contract for two more years, but Cleveland needs a solution now, especially with Watson set to miss much or all of 2025 with an Achilles injury.

In Yates' draft, that answer is Shough, who played over seven collegiate seasons for Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville. The 25-year-old is older than your typical QB prospect, but the 6'5", 219-pound prospect ended on a high note with 3,195 passing yards, 23 touchdowns (six interceptions) and 8.2 yards per pass attempt for Louisville in 2024.

Shough, who ranks 83rd on the latest B/R big board, might be enjoying a rising draft stock though.

"Prior to the combine, Shough was projected to be a fourth-to-sixth-round selection," Alexis Cubit of the Louisville Courier-Journal wrote on March 26. "Now, he might sneak into the end of the first round."

Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com also reported on March 21 that Shough was one of the Browns' Top 30 visits.

So it wouldn't be a shock to see Shough go to the Browns, who own the top pick in the second round. We'll find out soon enough what Cleveland does, though, when the draft begins April 25 in Green Bay.

With the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns will have the opportunity to select one of the top two quarterback prospects in this year's class.

However, some around the league are reportedly wondering if the Browns would rather wait until next year to find their long-term quarterback and tank the 2025 season in hopes of landing Texas signal-caller Arch Manning.

"It’s such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position. Is there a temptation to suck for Arch Manning?" an NFL executive questioned while speaking to The Athletic's Mike Sando.

Besides his famous last name, Manning showed flashes of superstar potential that have NFL teams salivating a year before he's even eligible to enter the draft. He played 10 games with two starts for the Longhorns in 2024, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 108 rushing yards and four more scores.

The Browns are in quarterback purgatory, as starter Deshaun Watson's status is in question after he re-ruptured the Achilles that he tore midway through the 2024 campaign. The team acquired backup quarterback Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason as a potential stopgap. Cleveland doesn't have much of a choice but to retain Watson thanks to his massive contract, which doesn't expire until after the 2026 season.

If Cleveland decides to eschew a quarterback at No. 2 this year, it could select a top prospect such as Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Whomever the Browns choose will have ramifications across the rest of the first round.

"Are they drafting or tanking?" another exec asked Sando. "If you are tanking, then you would be down to one year left on Deshaun (Watson). I’m sure they are like, 'Hey, Joe Flacco got us to the playoffs and we can do whatever.'"

The Cleveland Browns will have the chance to add a franchise quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but they reportedly could be more intrigued by the chance to create a dangerous pass-rushing tandem.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday's episode of Get Up that the Browns are eyeing Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter to pair him with 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

"Well, Cleveland does need to take a quarterback, but it certainly feels like they have visions of matching Abdul Carter with Myles Garrett and unleashing that tandem against the rest of that division, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson and the rest of that division, whoever plays quarterback in Pittsburgh, maybe Aaron Rodgers," Schefter said.

The Browns traded for backup quarterback Kenny Pickett earlier this offseason, and Deshaun Watson is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season after re-rupturing his Achilles. Despite being in a tough quarterback situation, Carter could be too talented for Cleveland to pass up.

The decision by the Browns could reshape the rest of the draft, as the New York Giants would also be left with the crucial decision of choosing between a quarterback and a top prospect like Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Still, Schefter noted that Cleveland appears to be leaning toward waiting until after the first round to address the quarterback position.

"I think that they recognize that Abdul Carter is an elite talent, and Travis Hunter is an elite talent, and that's the decision to get back to them that the Giants have to make, do they view Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter in that category, and do they have a high enough grade on Shedeur Sanders that they could justify taking Sanders ahead of one of these higher rated players? And right now, it doesn't feel like Cleveland's moving in that direction," Schefter said.

The Athletic's Jason Lloyd also reported that the Browns are considering Hunter with the No. 2 pick, stating that he "heard and saw enough these last few days to believe the Browns genuinely like" the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. Browns general manager Eric Berry said this past weekend that he believes Hunter can play both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL and described him as "brilliant from a football standpoint, has a rare intelligence."

"If I had to fill out a mock draft today, Hunter would likely be the name I wrote on the line," Lloyd wrote.

If the Browns select Carter or Hunter in the first round, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi explained that the team will consider Day 2 quarterback options like Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Louisville's Tyler Shough.

Schefter added that Cleveland has shown significant interest in Carter with a pair of recent meetings, so all signs point to him being the team's choice at No. 2.

"We go back to Thursday night, the night before the Penn State Pro Day, Cleveland ownership flew to State College, Pennsylvania, to meet with Abdul Carter for a second time," Schefter said. "As [Mel Kiper] would know, there aren't many times where owners are meeting with an individual prospect twice within recent weeks. That tells you how serious Cleveland is about taking Abdul Carter at the second overall pick here."

Edge-rusher Abdul Carter is considered to be the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft for the Cleveland Browns over quarterback Shedeur Sanders, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.

"What I'm hearing, is that Abdul Carter is the pick," Trotter said during a radio appearance on 850 ESPN Cleveland.

"I don't care if you have a quarterback or not, you ain't going anywhere next year anyway," he added.

Cleveland's depth chart at quarterback for the 2025 season is thin, especially with Deshaun Watson's murky future with the team after he re-injured a torn Achilles at the start of the offseason.

The Browns traded for former first-round pick Kenny Pickett on March 10 after he served as a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

With their need for a long-term option under center, potentially selecting Sanders makes sense. Cleveland reportedly has a private workout scheduled with the Colorado passer.

The Browns appear to be focused on selecting the best player available at No. 2 instead of reaching to fill a hole at quarterback, though.

Carter was dominant at Penn State during his senior season, racking up 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 21-year-old had dinner with a "large contingent" of Browns officials including general manager Andrew Berry on Thursday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Carter would immediately form an imposing pass-rushing duo with Myles Garrett, who received a four-year extension worth $40 million per year from the Browns on March 9.

Cleveland could also target a quarterback with a Day 2 pick in the 2025 draft if it were to select Carter at No. 2 overall.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, the Browns were projected to add Sanders with their first-round selection. Carter was picked by the New England Patriots at No. 4.

As Cleveland mulls its options with the No. 2 pick, Carter is reportedly the top candidate.

The Cleveland Browns are rolling out the red carpet for Abdul Carter prior to Penn State's pro day on Friday as they continue to debate what to do with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Carter had dinner on Thursday with a group of Browns executives that included owners Jimmy Haslam, JW Johnson and general manager Andrew Berry.

With Cam Ward seeming more likely than not to be the No. 1 overall pick for the Tennessee Titans, the Browns have become the most interesting team to watch in the lead-up to the draft.

Recent speculation has connected them to Shedeur Sanders. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that the Colorado quarterback will have private workouts with both the Browns and Titans.

Deion Sanders, who previously said there were a "couple of teams" he wouldn't allow his son to play for, has walked back that statement recently.

It's unclear if the Browns were among the teams Coach Prime was talking about, but that doesn't seem like it would be an obstacle anymore if Shedeur is the player they want to select.

Despite the need for a quarterback in Cleveland, Carter still seems to be very much in play with the second pick.

Schefter said on Wednesday's episode of NFL Live that the way things are playing out right now suggests Carter is going to be the Browns' choice when they're on the clock.

If the Browns don't go with a quarterback in Round 1, they could have good options on the second day of the draft. Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe could all be on the board when their next pick comes up at No. 33.

A pairing of Carter and Myles Garrett on the defensive line has the potential to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Even though Carter won't work out at Penn State's pro day while continuing to rehab a shoulder injury, there doesn't seem to be any concern his stock will be impacted when the draft begins on April 24.

The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, with Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough now considered a potential option.

Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns are hosting Shough as one of their top-30 visits allowed before the draft.

While the idea of using the second pick on Shough would seem extremely rich relative to his consensus ranking, Cabot did note it's "not as far-fetched as it might seem" for the Browns to pull off a major surprise.

Of course, the quarterback most people are keeping an eye on for the Browns right now is Shedeur Sanders. There has been increasing chatter the Colorado star is at least being strongly considered by Cleveland.

The Ringer's Todd McShay said on the latest episode of his podcast that Sanders is "absolutely in play" for the Browns with the second pick (starts at 7:35 mark).

B/R's NFL scouting department is projecting Sanders to Cleveland in its latest mock.

The Browns are still entertaining the possibility of signing Russell Wilson as a free agent, but his preference seems to be the New York Giants if the Pittsburgh Steelers go in a different direction.

Shough has been cited as a potential riser in this draft class coming out of the combine. One issue every team has to determine is what his ceiling at the next level is going to be.

A member of the 2018 high-school recruiting class, Shough spent seven years in college with three different programs and will turn 26 on Sept. 28. His playing time was disrupted multiple times due to season-ending injuries, including a broken collarbone in 2021 and broken fibula in 2023.

Shough did have a successful 2024 at Louisville, throwing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns in 12 games. He's the sixth-ranked quarterback prospect by B/R's NFL scouting department.

One potential option for the Browns is they could look to trade down in the first round to accrue more picks to build up their roster talent, then use a later selection on Shough since it seems unlikely he will be off the board before round two.

The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their search for a starting quarterback in 2025.

On Friday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the Browns are still pursuing Russell Wilson while keeping players like Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz and potentially Shedeur Sanders in the draft as other options:

"The Cleveland Browns still have interest in Russell Wilson. They're still pursuing that angle, but they have Carson Wentz as a contingency plan. There's some mutual interest there if Wilson falls through. Kirk Cousins would be a prime option for the Browns, I'm told, but he's simply not available right now, so it's uncertain whether they want to really wait that out. That leaves them with the No. 2 overall pick. There is love in that building for both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, but the feeling around the league is the Titans could go Ward. That leaves them with Sanders, but I'm told the Browns do like his processing speed, mental game at the line of scrimmage."

There has been growing buzz that Sanders could be the Browns' choice with the second pick in the draft. B/R's NFL scouting department projected that pairing in its most recent mock draft posted on Thursday.

As Wilson continues to wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a quarterback decision, he has explored the market by visiting with the Browns and New York Giants.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi noted Wilson's meeting with Browns officials didn't include any discussion about the parameters of a potential contract before he left their facilities.

Myles Garrett told reporters on March 14 he would welcome Wilson into the fold if he signs with Cleveland:

"I mean him and I had a little bit of conversation at the Pro Bowl as well as here and I definitely think he’d be a valuable asset as a leader, as a mentor to those young guys. Veteran leadership can’t be understated. And I think he has definitely has some juice left at the position. He’s got plenty of arm left. He’s very smart and he knows what he’s capable of. So he’d be a valuable asset."

Wentz has emerged as a potential option if Wilson signs elsewhere. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported on Wednesday there's mutual interest between the Browns and Wentz as a potential bridge quarterback.

Cousins remains a member of the Atlanta Falcons, with indications they don't necessarily feel pressured to move him because they're already locked into paying his guaranteed money for 2025.

The Browns have been cited as a landing spot for Cousins if he does get traded. It's not a hard connection to make since Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to '19 when Cousins was their quarterback.

If the Browns are able to land any of the veteran options, it shouldn't preclude them from selecting Sanders in the draft if they believe in his long-term potential. Both Wilson and Cousins will turn 37 later this year, so they are nearing the end of their careers.

Wentz hasn't been a full-time starter since the first half of the 2022 season with the Washington Commanders.

Wilson is probably the best of the veteran options available that the Browns are looking at. The 10-time Pro Bowler threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 starts with the Steelers last season.

Cleveland cycled through four different starting quarterbacks in 2024. The quartet of Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe combined to throw for 3,506 yards, 19 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

While the Cleveland Browns wait on Russell Wilson to decide where he wants to play in 2025, they are looking at potential alternatives at quarterback.

Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns and Carson Wentz have "mutual interest" in a deal that could make him their bridge quarterback if Wilson signs with another team.

Wilson met with Browns officials in Cleveland on March 13, but the visit ended without a deal.

The New York Giants also hosted Wilson on a visit last week. His fate in free agency has been tied to whatever decision Aaron Rodgers makes because the Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting on an answer from the four-time NFL MVP.

Pittsburgh, in particular, seems like it would be the preferred landing spot for Wilson. He knows the organization after spending last season with it. The Steelers offense with George Pickens and recently acquired D.K. Metcalf seems tailor-made for Wilson's style of play.

Metcalf is also familiar with Wilson from their three seasons together with the Seattle Seahawks from 2019 to '21.

One potential issue for the Browns in their pursuit of Wilson is cost. They have just over $10 million in cap space, but their effective cap space is just $1.7 million because they also have to sign their draft picks.

The Browns could include void years on a potential deal to spread out Wilson's money, but that doesn't seem like a prudent approach for a team that already has three void years on Deshaun Watson's contract from 2027 to '29 with the first of those years counting $53.8 million against their cap.

Wentz wouldn't necessarily be an inspiring alternative, but he would likely fit into the Browns' price range without disrupting their long-term cap. He made just $1.2 million in base salary with the Kansas City Chiefs last season.

There's also the possibility that the Browns decide to use the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft on a quarterback. This would allow head coach Kevin Stefanski to potentially enter the season with Wentz as his starter while preparing a rookie, though they could also decide to start a first-year quarterback if this scenario plays out.

Wentz appeared in three games for the Chiefs in 2024. He went 12-of-19 for 118 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

His last extended stint as a starting quarterback was during the 2022 season with the Washington Commanders. He threw for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight games (seven starts).

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett may be aware of the team's choice for a starting quarterback in 2025.

When asked if he has an idea of Cleveland's future starter during an appearance on Best Podcast Available, the star pass-rusher confirmed that he does.

"After conversations, I do have an idea," Garrett said.

"I like it enough to be here smiling in front of you because I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it," he added.

Veteran Russell Wilson visited with the Browns on Thursday as a free agent but left without a deal. Garrett was present at Cleveland's meeting with the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and revealed his pitch to the signal-caller.

"I won't take you to the ground three or four times a year," Garrett said, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year secured his own future with the Browns during the offseason. Garrett signed a four-year extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

With Cleveland attempting to make the playoffs for the second time in three years during its upcoming 2025 campaign, Garrett appears to have insight into the Browns' target for their next starting quarterback.