CLEVELAND, Ohio — Within the first few minutes of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, the prospects of next year’s draft became much more enticing for the Cleveland Browns.
That’s because their trade of the No. 2 pick and the right to take Colorado’s Travis Hunter gave them another first-round pick in the 2026 draft. They are one of two teams with multiple picks in next year’s first round after Atlanta sent its selection Thursday to the Los Angeles Rams to move up and take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Coincidentally, Pittsburgh will serve as the host city. How fitting could it be for the Browns to change their fortunes in their arch-rival’s town?
Chances are, they could be picking high. Based off win projections from ESPN’s Mike Clay, they will have the No. 1 pick next year and another chance to take a quarterback after taking two — Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders — in the third and fifth rounds of this year’s draft.
If they are picking No. 1, the Browns will be hard-pressed to pass up on another quarterback in a much more promising class. The Jacksonville pick also could be in the top 10.
Here is an early look at that draft and 32 of the top prospects:
1. Cleveland: Arch Manning, Texas quarterback
About the pick: The keys to Texas’ offense will belong to Manning next season after he came on in relief of Quinn Ewers during Texas’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. While he is the most-hyped quarterback this fall, looking ahead to next year’s draft, there is no guarantee he will be the top prospect at the position. Pro Football Focus ranked him sixth among returning quarterbacks in college and gave him an 88.1 grade, which ranked 13th among FBS quarterbacks with at least 200 snaps. He completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns to two interceptions and rushed for four scores. It’s a small sample size, but a promising one.
2. Tennessee: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama offensive tackle
About the pick: At 6-foot-7 and 370 pounds, Proctor is a mountain at left tackle. He should have competition to be the No. 1 tackle off the board next year, as PFF ranked him third behind Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, calling Proctor a “dancing bear” with “preposterous athleticism at that monstrous size. If he can play at a more consistent level, he has the upside of being a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.” Let’s give Proctor the early edge because he’s already played left tackle, unlike Fano and Maugioa, and done it in the Southeastern Conference.
3. New York Giants: Drew Allar, Penn State quarterback
About the pick: While the Giants traded up to take Jaxson Dart late in the first round on Thursday as the second quarterback in this year’s draft, his potential is no guarantee. New York could be tempted to take another shot or trade the pick for another quarterback-starved team in this spot, if it comes to that. Allar ranked fourth among PFF’s returning quarterbacks, behind Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Miami’s Carson Beck. However, Allar’s ceiling is high with a 6-foot-5 frame and cannon for an arm. Expectations will be high in Happy Valley for Allar and the Nittany Lions to make another run at the College Football Playoff. That matters when considering the resumes of players like Allar and Manning, compared to Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders in this year’s draft. They could not elevate their teams to that level.
4. Carolina: Francis Mauigoa, Miami offensive tackle
About the pick: Blocking on the right side last fall for Cam Ward, Mauigoa is a former five-star recruit. The chances of Miami moving him to left tackle is dependent on the play of Markel Bell, who returns at that spot after starting five games in place of injured Jalen Rivers. Both will be blocking for new quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred in from Georgia. Left or right, there’s plenty to like about Mauigoa. “He’s striving for perfection, for absolute excellence,” coach Mario Cristobal told the Miami Herald this month. “He just goes. He’s got his foot on the gas. He is unbelievably fun to coach because every single day, he brings it, and he brings it with a great attitude.”
5. Las Vegas: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU quarterback
About the pick: The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, a former NFL quarterback, Garrett will have a slew of new receivers this fall in Baton Rouge, La. Developing chemistry with them could be vital to his draft stock by 2026. Nussmeier made his first start in 2023 as a sophomore in the ReliaQuest Bowl, a 35-31 win against Wisconsin in which he threw for 395 yards and three TDs to earn MVP honors. Nussmeier parlayed that into the starting job last season and a noteworthy one in which he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 TDs to 12 interceptions. It’s the second-most passing yards in a season at LSU behind Joe Burrow’s 5,671 yards in 2019.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) comes up with an interception during second-half action against Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus. Downs should be a top 10 pick next April.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
6. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Caleb Downs, Ohio State safety
About the pick: The Falcons’ trade Thursday back into the first round to take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. looks costly when considering where that pick projects to go. PFF considered Downs the top safety last year in the nation, so he remains there after not being draft eligible after his true sophomore season with the Buckeyes. Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay agreed last fall, posting on the social media platform X, “just watching Ohio State D tape… Caleb Downs is the best safety in the country. He’s just different. One of the best football players in the country. He would be a top-15 pick in 2025 draft if he were eligible. Maybe top-10.”
7. New York Jets: Carson Beck, Miami quarterback
A year ago, Beck was the early cleveland.com projection last year to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. The expectation was that he’d lead Georgia as a national title contender. Instead, he suffered a UCL elbow injury in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Georgia lost to Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinals and Beck transferred out.
8. Dallas: T.J. Parker, Clemson defensive end
About the pick: The top-rated edge going into next season, according to PFF, is Texas’ Colin Simmons. He will not be draft eligible until 2027, however. Neither will South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart. That makes Parker the de facto favorite for now. His 12 sacks last season leads all returning Power Four edge rushers.
9. Cleveland (from Jacksonville): Spencer Fano, Utah offensive tackle
About the pick: Fano graded at an FBS-best 93.0, according to PFF last season at right tackle. He is dominant in the run and a top-30 pass blocker, according to PFF, which added, “While some length concerns could push him inside to guard in the NFL, he’s still an elite athlete with dominant tape as just a true sophomore.” That could fill a void for the Browns on the inside just as much as the outside at tackle, considering the contracts will be up for both Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller guard. Cleveland also has an out with right tackle Jack Conklin, who last put together consecutive healthy seasons in 2020, his first after the Browns signed him from Tennessee. The upcoming season will be a crossroad for Cleveland’s offensive line. Also keep an eye on Fano’s Utah teammate at left tackle, Caleb Lomu.
10. Pittsburgh: LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina quarterback
About the pick: Here’s a high projection pick, as Sellers is still 19 years old but will be a redshirt sophomore this fall and draft eligible after coming out of high school in 2023. He was only a three-star prospect from Florence, S.C., but is garnering attention for his play and potential with a 6-3, 240-pound frame. Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart said, “He is prime-time Cam (Newton). That boy strong, I ain’t going to lie to you. I don’t know what they’re feeding him over there.” He should keep Ohio State transfer Air Noland on the bench this fall at South Carolina.
11. New Orleans: Nico Iamaleava, UCLA quarterback
About the pick: His physical tools make him a potential No. 1 pick next year after leading the Volunteers to that first-round matchup of the CFP last year against Ohio State. However, he opted to transfer from Tennessee this month after an NIL dispute and wound up at UCLA. That could negatively affect his draft stock, unless the Bruins improve next season in the Big Ten.
12. Washington: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State wide receiver
About the pick: As mentioned last year that quarterback-hungry teams in 2025 would be better off waiting for the 2026 draft class, teams that need a big-time receiver will be luckier in 2027 when Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams become available. Tyson leads next year’s consolation prizes at the moment, projected as the No. 3 returning receiver in college football by PFF after gaining 1,098 yards as a redshirt sophomore who transferred from Colorado.
13. San Francisco: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami defensive end
About the pick: Bain received All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention last season, finishing with 23 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 5.5 sacks. He missed four games because of a calf injury. Here’s why that could change, according to PFF — “Bain’s 73 pressures since 2023 stand third among returning Power Four edge defenders while his 16.9% pass-rush win rate is fourth.”
14. Chicago: Keldric Faulk, Auburn defensive end
About the pick: Faulk is ahead as a run stopper than a pass rusher at this point, but ranked in the top 20 in both areas for Power Four players, according to PFF. As a second-year starting sophomore, he had 45 tackles with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
15. Indianapolis: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana cornerback
About the pick: Why shouldn’t the Colts want to keep Ponds from leaving the state? He has been one of the country’s top cornerbacks in his first two seasons with the Hoosiers, who broke out to reach the CFP. He’s graded out at 91.8 between his freshman and sophomore seasons, according to PFF, which ranked him third among returning corners for next season. Consider No. 1-ranked Leonard Moore of Notre Dame will not be draft eligible next season and No. 2 Jermond McCoy of Tennessee is rehabilitating an ACL injury, so Ponds gets the early nod as the first cornerback to go next year.
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31, 2024.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
16. Los Angeles Chargers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State defensive end
About the pick: After Abdul Carter, the Nittany Lions aren’t done up front. Dennis-Sutton is a former five-star recruit who had 8.5 sacks last season opposite Carter. More eyes, and blockers, will be on the 6-5, 272-pounder with expectations high at Penn State.
17. Cincinnati: Avieon Terrell, Clemson cornerback
About the pick: Terrell’s older brother, A.J. Terrell, is already in the league with the Atlanta Falcons. Last year, his older brother said Avieon is “ahead of me at every phase of football.” PFF could back that up, charting him for 14 forced incompletions in 2024 to lead all Power Four cornerbacks.
18. Seattle: Carnell Tate, Ohio State wide receiver
About the pick: Jeremiah Smith’s presence could open up the field for Tate to cash in by next April. The 6-3 sophomore hauled in 52 passes for 733 yards and four TDs. After trading away D.K. Metcalf this offseason to Pittsburgh, the Seahawks will have another former Ohio State receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the roster with Cooper Kupp, whom they signed this offseason and will be 32 years old in June. Chances are, they could look for another target for newly acquired quarterback Sam Darnold.
19. New England: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame running back
About the pick: There’s a strong contingent that believes Love is the best running back returning this fall in college football. Count PFF among them, as it ranked him No. 1. He rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 TDs in 2024, averaging 6.9 yards per carry to help Notre Dame to the College Football Playoffs.
20. Arizona: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee cornerback
About the pick: McCoy tore his ACL in January, but could still return for the 2025 season after earning All-America honors following a transfer from Oregon State. He had four interceptions and nine pass breakups with 44 tackles in his first year with the Volunteers.
Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller in action Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, against Florida in Tallahassee, Fla. Miller, a Strongsville native, could be a first-round pick next season.AP
21. Green Bay: Blake Miller, Clemson offensive tackle
About the pick: Maybe Miller is destined to wear green again. The Strongsville High School graduate stayed at Clemson rather than enter this year’s draft. He has started every game for the Tigers since his freshman year at right tackle, where he is a force in the run game. PFF has him at a 77.3 grade for his career as a run blocker, and his pass blocking improved last year (76.4). “He’s as reliable as they come,” PFF wrote, “and should be one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Clemson history when he heads to the NFL.”
22. Los Angeles Rams: Cade Klubnik, Clemson quarterback
About the pick: Rounding out the quarterbacks in this early mock draft, Klubnik is ranked by PFF as the top player at his position next season. Its reasoning is this — “There might not have been a more improved quarterback in college football this past season than Klubnik. After placing 102nd among FBS signal-callers in 2023 with a 63.9 PFF passing grade, he ranked fifth in 2024 with an 87.7 mark. Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw more touchdowns than the junior (36).” Klubnik will enter his fourth season at Clemson after passing on the draft this year. Other quarterbacks to watch include South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Auburn’s Jackson Arnold, who transferred from Oklahoma.
23. Minnesota: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas linebacker
About the pick: A former five-star recruit, Hill has played in 30 games and started in 22 games through three seasons. He earned second-team All-America honors in 2024 with 107 tackles, 16 TFL and 7.5 sacks. Hill had six tackles in the CFP semifinals vs. Ohio State. He also is the top-rated linebacker returning next season, according to PFF.
24. Miami: Nyck Harbor, South Carolina wide receiver
About the pick: ESPN named him among its top 10 breakout players in 2025. At 6-5 and 230 pounds, he could project as a tight end at the next level and is an all-around athlete who competed as a sprinter on the track-and-field team for the Gamecocks.
25. Tampa Bay: Peter Woods, Clemson defensive tackle
About the pick: The top-ranked defensive tackle entering next season, according to PFF, Woods can join teammate T.J. Parker as two defensive linemen from the Tigers to go in the first round. Woods played much of his sophomore year on the edge, but projects more as an interior defender at 6-2, 315 pounds.
Ohio State safety Sonny Styles (6) plays in the Buckeyes’ annual spring game Saturday, April 12. 2025, in Columbus. Styles stayed in school and could see his draft stock improve because of it.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
26. Denver: Sonny Styles, Ohio State linebacker
About the pick: Styles left high school early after winning a state basketball championship at Pickerington Central, but he is staying in college for a fourth season that could significantly enhance his draft stock with a second year at linebacker. Styles and Caleb Downs are the only returning starters on defense for the defending national champions, and Styles is “finding his voice” this offseason for the Buckeyes.
27. Houston: Justice Haynes, Michigan running back
About the pick: One of the big transfers this offseason, Haynes hopes to thrive just like Caleb Downs by leaving Alabama for the Big Ten. He rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, last season as a sophomore for the Crimson Tide. Former Ohio Mr. Football winner Jordan Marshall should challenge him as a true sophomore.
28. Philadelphia: LT Overton, Alabama defensive end
About the pick: Transfers out of Alabama have been highlighted in this mock draft, but Overton is a success story going to the Crimson Tide. He emerged as a spot starter last season following his move from Texas A&M and came up with 42 tackles, three TFL, two sacks and nine quarterback hurries. That production should significantly increase this year as a full-time starter. He was a five-star prospect coming out of high school.
29. Kansas City: Harold Perkins Jr., LSU linebacker
About the pick: While PFF is higher on teammate Whit Weeks, Perkins was considered the top linebacker going into last fall. Perkins broke out as a true freshman with 72 tackles and 7.5 sacks. LSU used him off the edge as a sophomore. The Tigers also played him at inside linebacker, where many project him at the NFL level. He tore his ACL four games into last season and is expected to return this summer.
30. Baltimore: Suntarine Perkins, Mississippi linebacker
About the pick: Perkins had 10.5 sacks last season with 60 tackles and an interception. He received All-America honorable mention from Phil Steele and All-Southeastern Conference third team from the coaches.
31. Buffalo: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon defensive end
About the pick: A former four-star recruit, Uiagelelei earned an All-Big Ten spot on the first team from the media and second team from the coaches last season. He started 11 of 14 games as a true sophomore, compiling a team-best 10.5 sacks with 12.5 TFL.
32. Detroit: Domani Jackson, Alabama cornerback
About the pick: Jackson transferred from USC and started all 13 games last season at Alabama. He totaled 52 tackles with seven pass breakups and two interceptions. He was a five-star prospect coming out of high school.
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