Many NFL reporters and Cleveland Browns fans believe the team first full selection Select quarterback Deshaun Watson’s final replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft.
but, ESPN’s Matt Miller In his latest mock draft released Thursday, the entire league believes Cleveland can make a top-tier selection in a signal-caller.
“NFL decision-makers I’ve spoken with expect Cleveland to use the draft to upgrade the roster at other spots while bringing in a veteran to compete with (Watson).” Miller mockingly wrote that the Browns would take the cornerback from the Colorado Buffaloes. wide receiver travis huntr as the second overall pick. “If that’s your strategy, drafting the most impactful player in the country is a good start.”
It’s credible that the Browns would prefer to move on from Watson sooner rather than later. he was just made Regular Season 19 For various reasons, he started after signing a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022 and has been one of the worst QB1s in the league during the ongoing campaign before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon last month.
According to professional soccer references, Watson ranked last in the NFL among eligible players on Thursday with a total QBR of 22.4 and 33rd with a passer rating of 79.0. and last to 33.3% passed successfully Seasonal rates.
That is, there is no trace The Browns would be able to get out of the money left over from Watson’s deal, an agreement that could prevent the club from making much of a splash before 2026 at the earliest. Cleveland can do it blow up something By offering Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to another team as part of a much-needed move during the upcoming offseason. Roster rebuild.
Unless it’s Watson sort of If he gets locker room cancer or the Browns do something that could void the remainder of his contract, Cleveland has nothing to gain by releasing him in March 2025.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam can show Head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry could shut down the franchise if they are deemed a laughing stock by the end of Week 18. The new regime may feel that getting rid of Watson outright is a subtractive move by addition, regardless of the salary cap. Views related to those decisions.
Haslam’s decision to pursue that route could make the Browns more open to spending a first-round draft pick on a quarterback next spring ahead of Thanksgiving.
