Browns select a polarizing quarterback to replace Deshaun Watson in latest 2025 NFL mock draft

2024 was supposed to be the season that quarterback Deshaun Watson put it all together for the Cleveland Browns and proved his worth. Instead, it is another season where the Browns have to move on without him due to a season-ending injury.

Cleveland has seen all they need to in Watson’s three years in town. With just 19 games played out of a possible 51 in the regular season in that time, Watson has proven the Browns can’t count on him to be the franchise guy.

Jameis Winston appears like he will hold it down this season and might even be a guy they want to keep around as a bridge quarterback next season. If that is the case, the Browns’ pick from the latest A to Z Sports’ 2025 NFL mock draft makes sense.

Cleveland Browns select Alabama QB Jalen Milroe at No. 8 overall

With this selection, the Browns grab a player who has one of the highest ceilings at quarterback but is also a great risk. Milroe has some electric playability that really draws in the eyes. But the Alabama quarterback makes some head-scratching plays sometimes that make you really wonder. A polarizing quarterback to say the least.

“The Browns already needed to look at quarterbacks before Deshaun Watson's devastating Achilles injury. Now, it's even easier to justify taking someone else and sitting Watson until they can escape his historically bad contract. Kevin Stefanski is the right coach to get the most out of Milroe.” - Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports

Milroe is completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,937 yards and 16 passing touchdowns so far this year. The thing that sticks out is he has already matched his interception total of last year at six in eight games this year. Milroe is running the ball at about 47 yards a game and has true dual-threat ability that is an attractive part of his game.

There is a very good chance that the Browns could win too many games to have a top-3 pick that will land them the top quarterback in the class. With Winston at the helm, the Browns offense has already shown big improvement in just one win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The route of bringing Milroe in to sit and learn is an interesting one and one that might be on the table come draft time. A lot can change between now and April, but right now Milroe is one of the top-five quarterbacks to be watching.