The 2025 NFL Draft is a month away, and the Browns will bring in new talent with their 10 draft picks – including with the No. 2 overall pick. Cleveland has also added talent in free agency, trading for QB Kenny Pickett and signing five new players to address different areas on the roster.
So, as the offseason continues along and draws closer to the draft, we opened up the mailbag and answered your questions.
Where is the Browns' greatest need other than QB? – Bob K., Akron, Ohio
Much of the discourse around the 2025 offseason has been about the quarterback position for the Browns. It is a position of need that they have started to address with the acquisition of Pickett and could have further additions to the room whether in the draft or signing a veteran.
Some of those have been answered in the initial phase of free agency, as they signed LB Jerome Baker, DT Maliek Collins, G Teven Jenkins, OT Cornelius Lucas and DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, as well as re-signed CB Tony Brown II and LB Devin Bush. The Browns can continue to sign players in free agency to help bolster other positions on the roster.
With the draft a month away, there are still some questions about certain positions – such as running back and tight end, as well as safety.
On the offensive side of the ball, one of the greatest needs is a running back. The room consists of just Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., as Nick Chubb became an unrestricted free agent when the new league year started. They need another option in that room to help with depth. Tight end is in a similar position, with David Njoku leading that room. The Browns tendered exclusive rights free agent Blake Whiteheart and have Brenden Bates on the roster after signing him towards the end of 2024, but they could use another pass catcher and blocker.
On the defensive side of the ball, one of the biggest needs for depth is at safety – a room which consists of just Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman and Christopher Edmonds. Following the retirement of Rodney McLeod Jr., the Browns not only lost a veteran presence in the secondary, but they also lost depth as well. Whether that addition comes in a free agent or in a rookie, the secondary could use another safety to bolster the unit.
How does the free agent acquisition of Joe Tyron-Shoyinka affect the Browns plans for the draft? – Rob M., Fairmont, West Virginia
In general, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said at the Senior Bowl said free agency can have a bit of an effect on the draft – especially with the No. 2 overall pick.
Berry said their approach for free agency centered around the idea that they could go into the draft with the ability to line up and play at their known spots, in order to not be influenced by need. Their goal is to make the best long-term decisions for the organization with their draft selections. Berry added in late January that they are taking the longer-term focus with the 2025 offseason as whole, more so in the past two offseasons, which might alter their approach.
With this specific signing of Tryon-Shoyinka, we'll see exactly if and how it tweaks the plans for the draft. The addition of Tryon-Shoyinka helps bring depth to the defensive line, especially as he plays in a 4-3 defensive system that allows him to utilize his disruptiveness and play on the edge. He has the chance to be a complimentary piece to their edge rushers in DE Myles Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo, but also young players in Mike Hall Jr.., Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright in this type of defensive system.
Yet, depth never hurts – especially on the defensive line. The addition of a young defensive end who can grow and develop under the veteran leadership of Garrett and Okoronkwo and be an option if needed does fit the long-term approach.
