Browns roster needs an infusion of talent, including with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but lower those hopes
The Cleveland Browns seven-man NFL draft class sits at six currently, with RB Quinshon Judkins unsigned and things up in the air after his domestic violence charge in Florida. QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders continue to compete for the starting quarterback job, despite an injury impacting that on Saturday. DT Mason Graham might be the least talked-about top-five pick in Browns history, while LB Carson Schwesinger has a lot on his plate.
RB Dylan Sampson might have a much bigger role given the Judkins situation, while TE Harold Fannin Jr. could form a high-quality duo at the position with David Njoku.
Expecting a lot from any rookie is a fool’s errand, however. We all remember when a first-year player like WR Puka Nacua has an amazing season, but, on average, most rookies are highly limited in their first season. The transition from college ball to the NFL is tough, both in the amount of information involved as well as the grind of a 17-game season with more physicality.
It is why seasons like Nacua’s are exceptions, not the rule. In fact, very few rookies even get a chance to make an impact on the field recently:
Over the last three years, 22% of NFL draft picks have started at least 8 games as rookies.
Something to keep in mind to avoid the “team X solved their problem with this draft pick” trap!
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) July 31, 2025
In general, players seem to take a big leap going into their second season, but their initial one tends to be far more limited.
For each of Cleveland’s NFL draft picks, you can see reasons for both hope and caution in creating expectations:
- Graham is paired with Myles Garrett and a lot of talent on the defensive line, but he will be dealing with the best of the best offensive linemen week in and week out, which will wear on him
- Schwesinger will get the snaps, unlike most rookies, but will have to deal with the best offensive minds doing everything they can to get him out of position and second-guessing himself while he also tries to help get the rest of the defense in position
- Fannin has a huge jump from the talent at Bowling Green State University, but beyond Jerry Jeudy and Njoku, Fannin could be next in line for targets
- Sampson now has a chance to step into a more important role as Judkins’ situation plays out, but has been locked in as more of a third-down back when he was selected and may not have the size to get enough carries as a rookie
- Gabriel and Sanders not only have to compete with each other but Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Third and fifth-round quarterbacks have low success rates overall and the Browns offense has a lot of work to find success, which could limit whoever is at quarterback.
What are your expectations for the Browns rookie class? Who do you think is most productive of the group this year? Are you surprised by the recent NFL draft data posted above?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below