The Cleveland Browns have found themselves in a predicament. The need for a quarterback is glaring, with the Deshaun Watson era unofficially over and Kenny Pickett atop the depth chart.
Yet, Colorado corner/receiver Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are largely viewed as significantly better prospects than any quarterback the class can offer.
Given how far Cleveland seems to be from contention, is the sport’s most important position still a top priority in Round 1? It doesn’t have to be.
The Browns weaponize edge rusher Myles Garrett in the following two-round mock draft, made using Pro Football and Sports Network’s mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 2: Penn State Edge Rusher Abdul Carter
With two blue-chip prospects joining quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders at the top of the draft, Cleveland is under no obligation to draft a passer it isn’t head-over-heels for. Hunter might be the favorite to be the first non-quarterback off the board – he’d play primarily receiver with the Browns – but the upside of a defensive line with Garrett and Abdul Carter cannot be ignored.
Once viewed as a potential Garrett replacement, Carter offers a long-term path to filling Garrett’s shoes and an immediate impact on the 2025 defense. No team would match the pedigree of Cleveland’s edge-rushing duo, and Carter would be in a wonderful position for Year 1 contributions.
Giving Garrett the opportunity to mentor Carter – who stands to benefit from Garrett’s gravity – could create a lethal front four and accelerate the Browns’ return to contention. Elite sides of the ball are built through elite units, and it’s hard to argue against such a pairing being anything less than incredible.
Round 2, Pick 33: South Carolina Safety Nick Emmanwori
While Carter is viewed as a fairly low-risk option, a proven, athletic phenom at a high-value position, Emmanwori is more of a swing for the fences.
Emmanwori isn’t the savviest defensive back in the class, the most proven, or the most productive. But his athleticism is unmatched at his position, skyrocketing his stock and giving credence to the idea that his potential is enormous.
Emmanwori boasts a monstrous 6-3, 220-pound frame for a safety. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, backed it up with similar 10- and 20-yard splits, and posted some of the best vertical (43 inches) and broad (11 feet, six inches) jumps in recent memory.
Simply put, this is one of the most dynamic safety prospects of the century.
Turning that athleticism into production isn’t nearly as safe of a projection. He wouldn’t be the first Underwear Olympics champion to fail in the NFL and he isn’t as polished as, say, Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
However, with a strong pass rush to benefit the back end, quality cornerback play, and safety Grant Delpit joining him, Cleveland has the infrastructure to optimize his game.
