The Cleveland Browns enter their Week 15 matchup against the AFC’s top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs with little more than pride on the line. Officially eliminated from playoff contention at 3-10, Cleveland’s focus has shifted toward the future, with speculation about how the team will address glaring offensive deficiencies.
Mock drafts circulating league circles have zeroed in on two positions: quarterback and offensive tackle. Pro Football Focus (PFF) projects the Browns selecting either Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons or Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the first round. Both prospects address immediate needs for a Browns offense that has struggled since quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury and the loss of starting tackle Dawand Jones to a fractured leg.
Simmons, ranked No. 3 among tackle prospects, boasts an impressive 86.7 pass-blocking grade from PFF despite an injury-shortened 2024 campaign. His ability to protect the quarterback would be a significant boost to an offensive line that could lose Jedrick Wills Jr. to free agency.
Meanwhile, Milroe, graded at 90.1 for the season, sits at No. 12 on PFF’s overall board and has emerged as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback option. While Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Georgia’s Carson Beck are ranked higher, Milroe remains an intriguing possibility for a team grappling with Deshaun Watson’s massive contract and uncertain future.
The Browns’ offensive struggles, highlighted by Jameis Winston’s inconsistent play, have made a compelling case for major roster adjustments. Whether targeting a top-tier quarterback or reinforcing the trenches, Cleveland’s upcoming draft strategy will likely shape the team’s direction for years to come.
