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Browns Mock Draft 3.0: Getting Ahead Of 2025 Roster Reconstruction
The Cleveland Browns roster may look very different in 2025 compared to 2024. The team might not have many needs for this year, but long-term investments will be the priority in this draft.
Earlier this week, I released my full seven-round mock draft. Less than 36 hours after releasing my 257 selection predictions, the Cleveland Browns trade backup tackle Leroy Watson to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick. That just goes to show how quickly things can change around the draft every single year.
When making mock draft picks for the Cleveland Browns this year, the words of Andrew Berry at the owner's meetings stick out in my head. "We think about it as more like long-term investment in the roster," stated Berry.
This is a typical mindset for every draft, yet it leads me to believe that the Browns aren't necessarily looking for prospects that will provide significant production this coming season. If they do produce then that is just an added bonus. The focus is actually development of depth in 2024 with the potential of filling starting roles in 2025.
With that in mind, let's take a look at what I expect the Browns' six selections to look like.
Round 2, Pick 54: Michael Hall Jr. - DT, Ohio State
After 53 previous selections in the draft, numerous players who had meetings or top-30 visits with the Browns are already off the board. With Xavier Worthy, Kingsley Suamataia, Troy Franklin, Malachi Corley and Trey Benson crossed off, Cleveland is likely deciding between a few players. Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, Texas nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat, Miami offensive guard Javion Cohen and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. are all in play. The Browns need depth at offensive guard and a defensive tackle more than wide receiver. That rules out McConkey. Sweat's off the field issues drops him out of the conversation in the second round. Cohen versus Hall could go either way but the local product from Streetsboro gets the call.
Hall's quickness and interior pass rush ability will be valuable for the Browns. His time on the field may be limited this upcoming season unless there are significant injuries on the defensive line. Maurice Hurst is on a one-year deal and Hall's skillset will more than adequately replace Hurst if he is not brought back in 2025. Hall would likely see significant time in year two and beyond.
Round 3, Pick 85: Kiran Amegadjie - OT, Yale
Unless Jedrick Wills Jr. has an excellent year in 2024, the writing may be on the wall for his departure from Cleveland next offseason. Jack Conklin will also likely be gone, paving the way for Dawand Jones to be the full-time starter at right tackle. There have been rumblings about trying Jones at left tackle, however, I am skeptical on if he could successfully make the transition. He is stout on the right side so don't mess with what works well. Drafting Kiran Amegadjie allows Jones the opportunity to remain on the right side. Amegadjie can develop as a backup at left tackle for a year and then will get the opportunity to start in 2025. Even though the NFL is a significant step up in competition from Yale, Amegadjie's dominant traits in the run game and ability to kick inside to left guard leads me to believe that he will have a decent future in the league.
Oct 16, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Yale Bulldogs offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (72).
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Round 5, Pick 156: Mason McCormick - OG/OT, South Dakota State
McCormick is a mauler in the run game. He is a natural guard who could kick out to right tackle in a pinch. Tony Pauline, NFL Draft Analyst for Sportskeeda, stated that the Browns have previously expressed interest in McCormick. It would make sense because they have a need for guard depth behind Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. If one of those two dominant guards go down and miss significant time, then having another dominant young guard as a backup would be a huge asset.
Round 6, Pick 206: Erick All - TE, Iowa
The Browns have hosted tight ends Ja'Tavion Sanders and Erick All for pre-draft visits in recent weeks. Sanders is long-gone at this point but All is available, leading to his name on the card for pick 206. After losing Harrison Bryant to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, Cleveland is looking for a solid second tight end. All will have the opportunity to compete with Jordan Akins and Giovanni Ricci for that spot behind David Njoku.
Sep 30, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Erick All (83) scores on a touchdown.
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Round 7, Pick 227: Edefuan Ulofoshio - LB, Washington
Courtesy of the trade with Tennessee, Cleveland is able to use their first of two picks in the seventh-round on Edefuan Ulofoshio. The Browns have reportedly met with the former linebacker from Washington previously. The team could not only use a little additional linebacker depth, but Ulofoshio has potential to make an impact on special teams.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (5) celebrates.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 243: Rasheen Ali - RB, Marshall
Cleveland gets their second Northeast Ohio product with their final selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Shaker Heights and Marshall Thundering Herd running back will at minimum be a nice stash on the practice squad. Ali has an injury history that is concerning, yet when he is healthy and on the field, Ali is extremely productive. In his career with Marshall, he has 2,831 rushing yards, 565 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns. One of the most impressive stats for Ali is that he averaged 5.3 yards per carry over the course of his whole college career. That is a higher mark than Blake Corum averaged at Michigan and matches the same average of other top prospects like Trey Benson and Marshawn Lloyd. Taking a flyer in the late seventh-round on the talented hometown running back feels like a "no lose" situation.
This might not be the flashiest mock draft, but I don't expect flashy from the Browns this year. This is the definition of finding valuable depth and increased stability through long-term investments.
