2025 NFL Yearbook: Cleveland Browns

A season preview of the Cleveland Browns.

All Access Football NFL Yearbook Series counts you down to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game with an in-depth look at 32 organizations in 32 days. Presented by the Official 2026 NFL Draft Bible.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Howard Balzer, Dominic Ambrose and Jarrett Reigel contributed to this report] || [Some information also appears in the Lindy’s NFL & College Football Season Preview Guides. — Obtain these must-have magazines here]

NFL YEARBOOK SERIES: NO.32 — SAINTS

AFC NORTH || 2024 RECORD: 3-14 || AAF NFL POWER RANKING: 31

TEAM BRASS

Owner: Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam || General Manager: Andrew Berry || Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski || Offensive Coordinator: Tommy Rees || Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz || Special Teams: Bubba Ventrone

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

2025 NFLPA GRADES || OVERALL RANKINGS (30 of 32)

Treatment of Facilities: D+ || Food / Dining Area: C- || Nutritionist / Dietician: B- || Locker Room: F- || Training Room: D+ || Training Staff: C- || Weight Room: A || Strength Coaches: B+ || Team Travel: D || Head Coach: C || Ownership: C+

The Cleveland Browns rank 30th in the report cards. They made a significant improvement by building a top-of-the-line weight room this past offseason, addressing a major issue from previous years. However, the locker room remains the number one problematic issue for players, with over seven in 10 players reporting that it is too small (ranking 31st out of 32 teams). When players responded to this survey, they felt that the training room was understaffed but after the survey was completed by players, two additional hires have since improved the situation. In addition to issues with their locker room, players express concern about poor time management and a lack of culture, accountability and standards within the organization.

OVERVIEW

It could be another long season for the Cleveland Browns. They have turned the state of the quarterback position into a dire situation. No one knows for certain who will line up under center for Week 1 but it’s sure to be an entertaining training camp battle with third round pick Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and fifth round pick Shedeur Sanders (photo: Cleveland Browns) of Colorado battling for a roster spot behind former first round picks Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. The organization opted to bypass the premier player in the entire draft (Travis Hunter), which is all the evidence you need as to why this franchise continues to pick atop the NFL Draft on an annual basis.

OFFENSE RANKINGS

Total Offense: 300.8 (28th) || Passing: 206.2 (22nd) || Rushing: 94.6 (29th) || Points: 15.2 (32nd) || Sacked: 66 (2nd) || 3rd Down: 29.5% (15th AFC)

DEFENSE RANKINGS

Total Defense: 342.1 (19th) || Passing: 212.4 (12th) || Rushing: 129.7 (21st) || Points Allowed: 25.6 (28th) || Sacks: 41 (13th) || Turnover Differential: -22 (32nd)

TOP 10 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

1. Myles Garrett, Defensive End

2. Denzel Ward, Cornerback

3. Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver

4. Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle

5. David Njoku, Tight End

6. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker

7. Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle

8. Grant Delpit, Safety

9. Joel Bitonio, Offensive Guard

10. Jerome Ford, Running Back

TOP 10 PLAYERS UNDER 25

1. Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle (21)

2. Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle (23)

3. Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback (23)

4. Mohamoud Diabate, Linebacker (24)

5. Martin Emerson Jr., Cornerback (24)

6. Ronnie Hickman, Safety (23)

7. Harold Fannin Jr., Tight End (22)

8. Carson Schwesinger, Linebacker (22)

9. Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback (24)

10. Isaiah McGuire, Linebacker (23)

BUST OUT PLAYERS

It’s a make-or-break year for wideout Cedric Tillman (photo: Cleveland Browns) who was pretty much non-existent throughout his first two seasons in ‘The Forest City,’ until he was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 7. Tillman would start five consecutive games, in which he posted 26 catches, for 330 yards and three touchdowns but a concussion would halt his season. He begins year three with a fresh start and high aspirations … Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate is the ultimate overachiever. After starring on special teams as a rookie, he continued to claw his way into the lineup during year two and suddenly found himself starting 11 games due to injury. He thrived in the role, racking up 70 tackles a year ago. He’ll be on lay-a-way once again entering 2025 but regardless of injury, Cleveland will be sure that Diabate finds the field … There were few bright spots by the lake last season but undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman provided a huge spark on defense when called upon. With a secondary that has been ravaged by injuries, Hickman has started nine games over the past two seasons, displaying excellent range. He is one of the assumed safety starters entering training camp.

2025 NFL DRAFT CLASS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.5. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan — With his ability to penetrate the backfield, the Browns have the makeup of a dominant defensive line with Graham playing alongside Myles Garrett.

Rd.2 No.33. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA — From walk-on to wonderwall, Schwesinger brings tremendous range, instincts, smarts and leadership. All traits that the Browns front office brass values.

Rd.2 No.36. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State — This is a complete back who can run between the tackles but also has some shiftiness and can block very well. It will be expected for Judkins to win the starting role coming out of training camp.

Rd.3 No.67. Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green — There is an element of boom-or-bust with Fannin whose pass-catching prowess could compliment David Njoku well but his lack of size and speed may hinder him at the next level.

Rd.3 No.94. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon — The most high-pressured backup quarterback job in the NFL, Gabriel will have his fellow fifth round rookie teammate looking over his shoulder all summer.

Rd.4 No.126. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee — A compact, explosive back with home run ability, Sampson will form with Judkins to create a new Voltron in the backfield.

Rd.5 No.144. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado — Few storylines will carry more juice than the daily ‘Sanders Watch,’ as the Browns have stockpiled a bunch of mediocre quarterbacks, none of which carry strong job security.

OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact

ADDITIONS

• LB Jerome Baker (10/8; UFA Titans; $1.422.5M/1 yr, $717.5M gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• WR DeAndre Carter (13/0; UFA Bears; $1.422.5M/1 yr, $767.5K gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• DT Maliek Collins (17/17; FA 49ers; $20M/2 yrs, $10M fully gtd/$3M gtd injury only fully gtd March, 2026/$7.245M SB/$4.2M 2025 cap/4 void years)

• QB Joe Flacco (8/6; UFA Colts; reported $4M/1 yr, $9M incentives)

• G Teven Jenkins (14/14; UFA Bears; $3.05M/1 yr, $2.67M gtd/$1.55M SB/$2.29M 2025 cap/4 void years/$3M play-time incentives)

• T Cornelius Lucas (14/7; UFA Commanders; $6.5M/2 yrs, $3.255M gtd/$2M SB/$1.655M 2025 cap/$3M incentives/$3 void years)

• CB Nik Needham (2/0; FA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• DE Julian Okwara (13/1; UFA Cardinals; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $240K gtd/$40K SB/$1.167.5M 2025 cap)

• QB Kenny Pickett (5/1; trade Eagles)

• LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (15/11; UFA Buccaneers; $4.755M/1 yr, $4.69M gtd/$3.475M SB/$1.91M 2025 cap/4 void years)

RE-SIGNINGS

• CB Tony Brown II (UFA; $1.337.5M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.089M 2025 cap)

• LB Devin Bush (potential UFA; $3.25M/1 yr, $2.97M gtd/$1.8M SB/$1.82M 2025 cap/4 void years)

• LB Winston Reid (ERFA; $960K/1 yr, no gtd/$960 K 2025 cap)

DEPARTURES

• G Hakeem Adeniji (0/0; UFA Cowboys; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• S D’Anthony Bell (17/1; not tendered as RFA/Seahawks; $1.37M/1 yr, $225K gtd/$100K SB/$1.37M 2025 cap)

• CB Mike Ford Jr. (16/0; UFA Falcons; $4M/2 yrs, $1.14M gtd/$500K SB/$1.845M 2025 cap)

• LS Charley Hughlett (5/0; released)

• T James Hudson III (4/2; UFA Giants; $11M/2 yrs, $5.8M gtd/$3.55M SB/$4.12M 2025 cap/$4M incentives)

• RB Nyheim Miller-Hines (0/0; released)

• WR James Proche II (9/0; UFA Titans; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (7/2; traded Eagles)

• S Juan Thornhill (11/1; released Post-June 1 designation)

• DT Dalvin Tomlinson 16/16; released Post-June 1 designation)

• QB Jameis Winston (12/7; UFA Giants; $8M/2 yrs, $5.25M gtd/$2M SB/$3M 2025 cap/$8M incentives)

• QB Bailey Zappe (1/1; not tendered as RFA/Chiefs; $1.1M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.1M 2025 cap)

DEPTH CHART (Courtesy of Ourlads)

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