The Browns entered the offseason with nine total picks for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Now, with the new league year officially beginning, the announcement of compensatory picks and the official round-by-round order, the Browns have a total of 10 picks in the draft.
The Browns hold their own picks in Rounds 2-4 and Round 6. Then through different acquisitions, they also have a third-round pick from Buffalo (WR Amari Cooper trade), a sixth-round pick from Minnesota (DE Za'Darius Smith trade) and a sixth-round pick from Chicago (DT Chris Williams trade). Cleveland was also given two compensatory picks, one in the sixth round and another in the seventh round.
So, let's take a look at where each pick falls in this year's draft.
Round 1 – No. 2
Round 2 – No. 33
Round 3 – No. 67
Round 3 – No. 94 (from Buffalo)
Round 4 – No. 104
Round 6 – No. 179
Round 6 – No. 192 (from Miami through Chicago)
Round 6 – No. 200 (from Minnesota)
Round 6 – No. 216 (Compensatory Selection)
Round 7 – No. 254 (Compensatory Selection)
The Browns have a pick in the first round for the first time since 2021 with a chance to add a key piece of the future. In previous years, Cleveland selected CB Greg Newsome II in 2021 at No. 26 and CB Denzel Ward in 2018 with No. 4. They also selected DE Myles Garrett as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Last year, the Browns used their picks on the second and third day of the draft to add young players who they've developed and found roles in their rookie seasons. In the 2024 NFL Draft, Cleveland took DT Mike Hall Jr. in the second round, G Zak Zinter in the third round, WR Jamari Thrash in the fifth round, LB Nathaniel Watson in the sixth round and CB Myles Harden and DT Jowon Briggs with two picks in the seventh round.
Hall did not play the first five games of his rookie season while on the Commissioner's Except list and a one-game suspension. Once he returned, Hall played eight games and earned three starts. He totaled 12 tackles, three tackles for loss,
Zinter stepped into a bigger role early in the 2024 season as the offensive line dealt with a plethora of injuries and used seven different line combinations over the first eight games. He earned three starts and played all 17 games of his rookie season, learning from G Joel Bitonio and other veterans to help fill in.
While Thrash did not play in the first five games of his rookie season, he earned opportunities to gain reps over the course of the season. He played in nine total games, recording three receptions for 22 yards. His longest reception was a pass for 11 yards.
Watson also established a role for himself as a depth piece, as he played 14 games and earned one start. He totaled 14 tackles and one pass defensed.
Harden was inactive for the season opener and was placed on injured reserve with a shin injury on Sept. 12. He was activated in late November and played in four games his rookie season recording five tackles. Briggs worked to establish his role during his rookie season as he spent the first 11 weeks of the season on the practice squad. He was then signed to the active roster and played the final six games of the 2024 season. He recorded 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.
With 10 total picks, the Browns will have another opportunity in April to add young talent they can develop.
