Browns Receive Surprising Draft Grade From NFL Analyst

The Cleveland Browns went into the 2025 NFL Draft needing a number of positions improved, most notably quarterback.

To many's surprise, they were able to effectively improve their roster.

On a recent episode of The McShay Show, Todd McShay talked about the things that the Browns did in the draft. He gave them a grade, which is something he rarely does.

"This to me was like an 'A' or 'A-' draft, and I don't give out grades. But I'll just let you known, this one would be up there as one of the best," McShay said. "They move back and get a defensive tackle in Mason Graham who most teams viewed as a top five player... They move back and they get the first-rounder next year."

As exciting as getting a prospect like Travis Hunter would have been for the Browns, trading back and getting Graham plus a number of picks, including a 2026 first-rounder, was a very solid move on general manager Andrew Berry's part.

They get their much-needed defensive line help, and they get two picks that they used on running backs. The Browns have not re-signed star running back Nick Chubb, which most likely means that the "thunder and lightning" duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will get their fair share of reps.

But the story of the draft for the Browns was the fact that they took two quarterbacks, one of which was Colorado star Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. Him and Dillon Gabriel will compete for who will be "the guy" for this team, and that could very good for a player like Sanders whose competitiveness fuels him.

The Browns still have a ways to go before they are where they want to be as a team, but the 2025 draft was a very solid start.