2025 Draft Analysis - Prospects We Wanted and Others Happily Avoided

Cleveland did a great job with their non-QB picks in this draft, but who else could they have grabbed, and who are we glad they avoided?

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: The logo of the Cleveland Browns shown on the big screen during day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024, at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 2025 NFL Draft ended about a week ago, but the post-draft analysis never stops at Browns Film Breakdown. I put out my Browns’ draft grades, and Jake has been doing a great job with thoughts from insightful guests. I think the Browns had a strong draft overall, but it’ll take a while for me to understand the quarterback selections. It’s good to see national media members giving the team some flowers. Mel Kiper would have given an A+ to whoever picked Sanders, but the overall response has been positive.

Andrew Berry operated as a general manager who was confident in his job security during this year’s draft. I love Mason Graham as a player, but doubt the trade is made if Berry and Stefanski felt they were in “playoffs or get fired” territory. That said, this draft can be the foundation for the turnaround. The five non-QBs will contribute a lot in 2025 and will be pieces to build around in the next couple of years. Training camp and the regular season seem far off still, but Browns fans should be excited for the talent added last weekend.

Jared Mueller talked about the history of players he liked getting sniped right before the Browns’ turn to pick with Jake earlier this week, and I couldn’t agree more that Baltimore was typically the team to do this. Patrick Queen comes to mind. Every year, players you like get taken right before you’re on the clock, but how you pivot can define your draft. There’s also something to be said for avoiding players who pundits think are obvious fits.

Let’s look at a few players I wanted, and a few that I’m glad the Browns avoided. No, I won’t talk about Travis Hunter or Jaxson Dart. That would make this newsletter much easier to write, but there’s enough content about how much I loved both guys.

Let’s get into it.

Players I Wanted

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

• Went to Seattle at No. 35

This might have been the most egregious miss by the Browns on draft weekend. Malaki Starks was the best safety in the class, but he was expected to be gone if the Browns stuck at No. 33. (There’s Baltimore again) I wasn’t beat up about Starks going late in the first, but Emmanwori going at No. 35 hurt.

Judkins feels like he was the pick at No. 36 once they made the trade with Jacksonville, so the only chance to get Emmanwori was at No. 33. We’ve talked about the team’s safety situation at length, and how they still need another competent body or two. Without trading up, this was their only chance at adding an immediate contributor at the position, and they passed.

Going with Schwesinger over Emmanwori tells me that Berry really wanted the linebacker, and he’s comfortable with Delpit and Hickman (for now) patrolling the back end. Another reason to believe that he knows his job is safe, in my opinion.

I like Schwesinger a lot and hope we see him and JOK roaming the middle of the field, but Emmanwori would have been a fun addition.