As the Browns begin the 2025 offseason, they will evaluate all facets of the team and find ways to improve ahead of the 2025 season.
"We're going to get to fixing this and that's what we're going to do. We're going to get back to work," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We need to improve on the offensive side of the ball, and that's what we plan to do."
With upcoming markers throughout the offseason – including free agency and the NFL Draft – there are questions about the offseason and the 2025 regular season will look like.
So, we opened up the mailbag and answered some questions.
How many draft picks do the Browns have in the upcoming draft in 2025? – Michael S., North Olmstead, Ohio
The Browns have nine total draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the 2024 regular season officially ending, Cleveland landed the No. 2 overall pick. This is the first time since the 2021 NFL Draft that the Browns have picked in the first round, as the previous three were sent to Houston in the trade for QB Deshaun Watson.
They also hold their own picks in Rounds 2-4 and Round 6. Then, through different acquisitions, they also hold a third-round pick from Buffalo (WR Amari Cooper trade), a fifth-round pick from Detroit (DE Za'Darius Smith trade), a sixth-round pick from Minnesota (DE Za'Darius Smith trade) and a sixth-round pick from Chicago (DT Chris Williams trade).
With their nine selections, the Browns are poised to bring in young talent to help bolster their roster. With the bulk of free agency occurring before the draft, the Browns will have an even clearer picture of the best use for their available picks.
When does player free agency start in 2025? – Michael S., North Olmstead. Ohio
Free agency will begin in March, first with a two-day negotiating period from March 10-12. During that span, clubs are permitted to contact and enter contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2024 contracts on March 12.
Prospective unrestricted free agents who are not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor are also permitted to communicate directly with a new club's front office officials regarding contract negotiations.
On March 12, the 2025 League Year begins and the free agency signing period officially opens at 4 p.m. ET. The trading period for 2025 also officially starts at 4 p.m. ET after the expiration of all 2024 contracts.
The Browns will have some decisions to make when it comes to free agency. According to OverTheCap.com, the Browns have 21 players who will be free agents. They have four restricted free agents and two players who are exclusive-rights free agents. Some of the top Browns names on that list include RB Nick Chubb, WR Elijah Moore and T Jedrick Wills Jr., who will each require decisions about their future with the Browns.
"I think everybody in this room knows how much respect that we have for Nick and how much appreciation we have for not just like his exploits on the field, but who he is in the locker room and who he is as a person," Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said on Jan. 6. "It's always a challenging situation when one of your cornerstone players, their contract is up. That's probably a little bit of a different situation this year relative to last, where there is maybe perhaps a little bit less control on the club side with it. Those are all decisions that we do have to work through the next several weeks. We love Nick. He's going to be a Ring of Honor player for us, and we know that."
Before he got injured, how did coaches feel about Mike Hall Jr.'s development in his rookie season? – Mark T., Columbus, Ohio
When DT Mike Hall Jr. was healthy and able to play following his suspension, he found ways to impact the game on the defensive line. He played in eight games – including three starts – and totaled 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and one sack.
In those eight games, defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said he saw how explosive and physical Hall can be in games.
"He's gone through a little bit of adversity coming into the league," Cesaire said. "It's already tough enough as it is being a rookie in the NFL. But then having to go through all these little adversities and bounce back from that, it's really telling."
Hall did sustain a knee injury in Week 18 against the Ravens. Berry said in his end-of-season press conference that Hall sustained an injury that would require him to miss time "in the months." They did not know at the time if the injury would require surgery.
When Hall is able to return healthy, he can add depth to the defensive line, especially on the interior. Berry said they are hopeful Hall will be ready for the 2025 season.
