The Browns wrapped up a successful draft weekend in which they welcomed seven rookies to the team. With the selections of DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judson, TE Harold Fannin Jr., QB Dillon Gabriel, RB Dylan Sampson and QB Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland addressed different areas of the roster.
The next step for the newest members of the Browns will come in rookie minicamp, set to take place at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus from May 9-11.
As we assess the 2025 draft and prepare for offseason workouts and rookie minicamp, we opened the mailbag and answered your questions.
Why did the Browns draft Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round? – Nomar R., Brighton, Michigan
To start off, one of the biggest factors to address is that Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said it wasn't necessarily the plan going into the weekend to select two quarterbacks.
"You envision how the draft could possibly play out, and then you just really adjust to what's on the board," Berry said. "We don't really go into the draft saying okay, like, 'hey, here are our needs and we're just going to pick players at need positions.' If you do, that's typically how you make mistakes. So, there is a little bit of a flow to the weekend because the board does take different twists and turns as you go. Some expected, some unexpected and ultimately, we try and do everything in our power to maximize the impact of the picks we have in aggregate."
Berry said they do believe in best player available, as well as positional value. And while they didn't originally think that Sanders would be available in the fifth round, when the opportunity rose to make the trade and jump from No. 166 to No. 144, they took that chance. They had evaluated who else was available from a prospect standpoint, and as different names came off the board, considered the potential of taking Sanders.
"We live by our board. We felt like he was a good, solid prospect at the most important position. We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mis-priced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it's a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot," Berry said. "Our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete. Nothing's been promised. Nothing will be given."
In both players, Berry said the Browns saw accuracy and decision making as strengths of their individual games. As they join the quarterback room, they both will have the chance to compete among the quarterbacks.
After addressing defensive tackle, linebacker, running back (twice), quarterback (twice), and tight end during the draft, what are the Browns most pressing remaining needs as we approach the coming season? – Nick D., Surprise, Arizona
With where the roster sits right now following free agency and the draft, one of the positions that the Browns could look to address is safety. With Rodney McLeod's retirement, that unit is led by Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman, and also has Christopher Edmonds and Trey Dean III. It's a position group that could use another depth piece to round out the room heading into the 2025 season.
The Browns could also look at wide receiver. Currently their receiving corps is led by Jerry Jeudy and features Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods II, Jamari Thrash, David Bell and Kaden Davis. Cleveland made one addition during free agency with the signing of DeAndre Carter to a deal.
What does Kenny Picket bring to the Browns as an experienced quarterback? – Rob M., Fairmont, West Virginia
In a quarterback room that now features Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Sanders, Kenny Pickett's experience in the NFL is one that could prove beneficial. While they have a veteran in Flacco who has 17 years of experience in the NFL, Pickett's three years of experience on two separate teams can help the rookie quarterbacks in their adjustment to the league.
Yet, he also brings more than just the mentorship aspect. Pickett is a mobile quarterback who knows how to protect the ball. Berry said that during the draft process in 2022, they did their work on him as a prospect and then faced Pickett twice per season during his first two seasons with the Steelers. Berry added they see more physical ability in Pickett, and believe in this setting with the Browns, he will be able to do so.
