Browns Draft-Day Decision Reinforced by Analyst

The Cleveland Browns took a big risk in this year's NFL Draft and can only hope it pays dividends early.

The Browns traded the No. 2 overall pick and the No. 104 overall pick in the fourth round and the No. 200 pick in the sixth round to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the No. 5 pick, the No. 36 pick in the second round, the No. 126 pick and a 2026 first-round pick.

With that No. 5 pick, Cleveland selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, and the Jags took wideout/corner Travis Hunter at No. 2 - presumably who the Browns would've taken had they not traded the selection.

Initial reaction to the trade was positive from most analysts.

Now, with time to consider it further, Sam Monson still likes the trade for Cleveland, as he noted on the ˆ podcast.

“I still think the smart move is to pick up the extra first-round pick next year if for no other reason than you need the quarterback, not the guy who plays corner or wide receiver," Monson said.

The Browns also took quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the third and fifth rounds, respectively. While they've got options now under center this summer, there are some who believe they'll use one of their first-round picks next season to go quarterback again.

Matt Miller of ESPN predicts that the Browns will run through the 2025 schedule and land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and decide to go a different direction at quarterback by selecting Clemson's Cade Klubnik with that pick.

"Spending two picks on quarterbacks in 2025 -- Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round) -- shouldn't prevent the Browns from looking for a long-term passer here," Miller wrote. "Klubnik enters the season as my No. 1 QB. In 2024, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, highlighted by a gutsy performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (336 passing yards, three TDs, one INT).

"Klubnik reminds me of Baker Mayfield -- whom Cleveland selected with the No. 1 pick in 2018 -- in terms of arm strength, mobility and playmaking awareness."