In just one week, the 2025 NFL Draft will be underway.
As of now, the Browns have three picks on Day 2 of the draft and six picks on Day 3. They hold the first pick in the second round at No. 33 and have two picks in the third round at No. 67 and No. 94. Then, they have picks 104, 179, 192, 200, 216, 255 on in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds. Depending on how the first round of the draft shakes out, Cleveland could look to use these picks and fill certain positions on the roster.
One position the Browns have addressed during free agency is linebacker. They re-signed ILB Devin Bush and LB Winston Reid signed his tendered contract. They added LB Jerome Baker as he signed a deal.
The linebacker unit also features Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Jerome Baker, Mohamoud Diabate and Nathaniel Watson. Cleveland's linebacker unit is also led by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who sustained a neck injury during the 2024 season and continues to progress in his recovery.
However, adding young talent at the position for the long-term can be an option. NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund highlighted three linebackers in the 2025 draft class that could be options for the Browns on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.
Jihaad Campbell spent three seasons at Alabama and appeared in 35 games for the Crimson Tide. Over his three seasons, he recorded 184 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries with one touchdown.
"Should the Browns want to go big at the position, my – and most people's – top-rated linebacker is Jihaad Campbell from Alabama, and he does forecast to be available at pick 33 in 72 percent of simulations," Frelund said. "The 6-foot-3, 235 pounder ran a 4.52 (40-yard dash) with a 1.53 second 10-yard split, which verifies how explosive he is on film against the very best SEC competition. Computer vision ranks his ability to square his body on the subject of his tackle in both run and pass situations as not just the best in this class, but it's (also) the biggest gap between linebacker one and two in this metric in at least six seasons. Campbell projects as a 3-down day one starter."
Barrett Carter played all four seasons for Clemson, appearing in 52 games. He totaled 233 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 21 passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries with one touchdown.
Frelund said Carter projects to be an early Day 3 upside pick and could fit well in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense.
"I say this because of his versatility," she said. "His resume shows his ability to help against running backs and tight ends in the passing game, and he has demonstrated box and slot proficiency. He stopped 41 runs last season, which ranks tied for 41st among linebackers in FBS."
After redshirting as a walk-on in 2021, Carson Schwesinger appeared in 38 games over three seasons. In 2024, he played in all 12 games with 10 starts and served as a team captain. In three seasons, Schwesinger recorded 163 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
"Carson Schwesinger from UCLA forecasts to be drafted ahead of Barrett, in part due to leading the FBS in tackles with 90 and in part due to his athleticism," Frelund said. "With a 39.5 inch vertical and Next Gen Stat's best combine production score at 81, some layers of context are added to his versatile resume – even if it's limited in years played. His film last year shows the quickest reaction time at the position to both run and pass plays, has beaten o-linemen on rushing plays and even has blitzing upside – meaning his timing from rushing the passer in college projects well at the NFL level."
NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund discusses Barrett Carter, Jihaad Campbell and Carson Schwesinger as potential linebacker prospects for the Browns.
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger participates in vertical jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger attends the team's NCAA college football pro day in Los Angeles, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
FILE - Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Clemson Tigers linebacker Barrett Carter (0) plays against the Furman Paladins during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) plays against Louisville during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster, left, talks with linebacker Carson Schwesinger, right, during the team's NCAA college football pro day in Los Angeles, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) plays against Louisville during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA's Carson Schwesinger (49), Kaylin Moore (9) and Ale Kaho (10) celebrate Moore's interception to end the game against Nebraska in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. UCLA defeated Nebraska 27-20. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) reacts after defeating SMU during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) chases Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter defends against Virginia in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) lines up for a play against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) follows a play during the first half of the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) sets up for a play against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU running back Trey Holly (25) breaks a tackle by UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) on a touchdown carry in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. LSU won 34-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) sets up at the line against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
