NFL Personalities Have Shocking Reaction To Cleveland Browns’ First Three Rounds

If you polled Browns’ fans about this year’s draft the response would be overwhelmingly negative, but outside the walls, Cleveland’s draft is being looked at with high regard.

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns have certainly made a few decisions in the 2025 NFL Draft that have caused people to do a double take. The first move was trading out of two, missing out on Travis Hunter and selecting Mason Graham. The second was starting Day Two with the selection of Carson Schwesinger instead of the top offensive talent. The third was the wild pick of Dillon Gabriel to end the third round.

The Gabriel pick is the one that is going to stand out amongst the rest as the head scratcher. I personally would not have made the selection, but the pick is not as bad as it seems on the surface. 

If you don’t want to take my word for it, that is fine. Here is what the national NFL analysts have had to say about Cleveland’s draft through three rounds:

Can’t tell you how many good things I’ve heard about Quinshon Judkins. One veteran executive told me he will quickly be a top-tier RB — true 4.4 speed, toughness, elusiveness — a special talent heads to the #Browns. https://t.co/WzKTNEjwf0

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2025

Quinshon Judkins is the perfect back for Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns’ zone running scheme. He can be a one cut, down hill back who has showcased the ability to hit the home run. He can run past you, run through you or shake you out of your shoes. LOVE the fit.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 25, 2025

Effin love the Carson Schwesinger pick for the Browns. Kamikaze who’s an incredible athlete. Can cover RBs and TEs

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 25, 2025

Who has had the best draft so far?

Browns for me!

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) April 26, 2025

Browns having impressive draft. https://t.co/zmoooC2hra

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 26, 2025

The Cleveland Browns have crushed this draft.

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 26, 2025

The reality of the situation in Cleveland is that the team has more needs on its roster than what it can solve for. Cleveland is going to be very strapped for cash over the next two seasons and having a solid majority of its roster on rookie contracts is going to be critical. 

Furthermore, the Browns are not ready for a superstar skill talent like Travis Hunter. They need to build the foundation of this team with high quality football players and lots of them. Hunter is a phenomenal player that would have been a ton of fun in Cleveland, but his talent would have gone largely unused because the team has so much more to solve.

Cleveland has committed to rebuilding its foundation in this draft. It has done so strategically and methodically. As we enter into Day Three, the Browns have a chance to put an exclamation point on this draft and continue steering their future into a positive direction.