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[Cleveland Browns]

Can the NFL resist the Shedeur Sanders ratings bump?

Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Could the Browns be in line for more high-profile games this fall thanks to Sanders possibly being QB1?

The NFL is a year-round business, with the NFL Draft as its marquee event in the offseason.

This year’s draft was no exception as the entire draft averaged 7.5 million viewers, a 27 percent increase over 2024 and the second-most watched draft on record, according to The Athletic. It was the same story on Friday for Rounds 2 and 3, which saw a 48 percent increase over 2024’s viewing numbers.

Related: Is Cleveland prepared for the Shedeur Sanders experience?

The viewing numbers from Saturday’s Rounds 4 through 7 are the most interesting. On a day with a full slate of MLB games and playoff games in the NBA and NHL, the draft averaged 4.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched Day 3 on record and a 40 percent increase over 2024.

NFL Draft viewership soars on Day 3 with 4.3 million viewers, the most watched to date https://t.co/QNDj60K4JN

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) April 29, 2025​

While it is impossible to say for sure, those increased viewership numbers can be attributed partly to fans tuning in to watch the fall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.

If there is one thing that the NFL likes almost as much as money it is TV ratings. And, with the 2025 schedule set to be released on May 14, it is fair to wonder if the league can resist the potential ratings bump by featuring the Browns and Sanders.

In April, Mike North, the league’s VP of broadcast planning and scheduling, said that one advantage to waiting until May to release the schedule is that it allows everyone to see what happens in the draft.

Related: Shedeur Sanders projected fifth-round contract with the Browns

Normally, a team coming off a 3-14 season would maybe get a Thursday night game against a divisional rival. But with Sanders on the roster, the Browns are not your everyday 3-14 team.

But after seeing the ratings and given Sanders’ high profile, the league could be looking at the Browns in a different light.

Cleveland is already playing a home game in London, and the 2025 schedule is filled with some attractive matchups, including home games against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers, and a road game against the Detroit Lions.

It would be a gamble, but the league might risk scheduling the Browns for a few late afternoon games, a Monday night game, or, in the case of the Lions, a Thanksgiving game in the hopes that Sanders has won the starting quarterback job.

If that happens, league officials will likely keep the flex scheduling rules handy in case the situation doesn’t work out in Cleveland, but that is nothing new, as early-season favorites fall apart every season and the league scrambles to shift its primetime schedule accordingly.

Sanders brings attention and ratings whenever he plays, which is a combination the NFL may not be able to pass up when the schedule is released in a few weeks.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...e-nfl-resist-the-shedeur-sanders-ratings-bump

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Dawg Pound Discourse: What is the biggest remaining need on the Browns roster after the NFL draft?

Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The Browns still have some positions to fill on the roster after the draft

While the Cleveland Browns continue to receive their flowers from analysts across the league for their draft class, GM Andrew Berry and the front office have turned their attention to free agency. The decision to double up at two positions in the draft leaves Cleveland with more roster spots to address before training camp.

The Browns added wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the mix at receiver, and he should compete for a roster spot on the depth chart. We shouldn’t count on much out of him as he failed to find the field much with three teams last year.

In my opinion, receiver is a spot that they should still look to add to over the coming weeks, despite the probability of playing more 12 personnel with two tight ends.

Speaking of head coach Kevin Stefanski’s favorite position, the Browns could really use more of an inline blocker at the position.

Harold Fannin Jr should see a fair share of snaps as a rookie, but he will be deployed all over as a receiver. The Browns have some young guys on the roster, but it’s hard to assess whether or not the team can trust them in that specific role.

On defense, it appears that the Browns have built good depth across the defensive line and linebacker positions, but one glaring hole remains in the secondary. As of today, Ronnie Hickman appears to be the starter opposite of Grant Delpit at safety.

Hickman’s play has exceeded the expectations of his first two years after joining the team as an undrafted free agent. The team has reportedly signed Donovan McMillon from Pitt as an undrafted free agent, and while he has an outstanding athletic profile, it’s hard to say that he should play meaningful snaps.

The lack of action here so far has me considering the possibility of someone from the cornerback room converting over to play safety. Cam Mitchell is a name that stands out in that regard, as he played the position in college, and Berry mentioned his versatility immediately after he was drafted in 2023.

We have discussed some veteran names that are still available in recent weeks, but for now, I really wanted to look deeper at the biggest roles still needed on the team after the draft.

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Now, I want to hear from you. Do you see these roles as priorities across the roster? What other positions would you consider as needing an upgrade? Which free agents would you like to see the team add? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...ter-biggest-need-roster-draft-safety-receiver

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns Roster: 4 UDFAs who could make the roster in 2025

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Analyzing four players who could potentially make the team in 2025

The Cleveland Browns announced their undrafted free agent signings shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, and a handful of players stand out regarding their potential outlook with the team.

Andrew Berry and Co. haven’t been able to hide their fondness for the UDFA market over the past few years, and this season should be no different.

There are always a few UDFAs that end up making the practice squad heading into the regular season, and some even get promoted to the gameday roster during the year for various reasons.

Here are four players with legitimate potential to stick in Cleveland in 2025:

OG/C Justin Osborne - SMU​

Osborne played almost every position along the offensive line for SMU throughout his career, and he’s been lauded for his selflessness and leadership ability. He was a 2x Team Captain, 3x All-Conference player, and 56-game starter for the Mustangs.

It was important to bring in more players who can snap the football this offseason, seeing that the only true centers on the current roster are Ethan Pocic and Luke Wypler.

His overall skillset and positional versatility is an extremely valuable quality to have as a rookie, and there’s a chance that Cleveland will want to keep that type of player on the practice squad this year.

TE/FB Eli Wilson - Appalachian State​

Wilson is a slightly undersized tight end (6’2.5”, 239 lbs.) who’s also been used in an H-Back/Fullback role on occasion for Appalachian State. Seeing that Cleveland has added a true fullback in Troy Hairston this offseason, it’s evident that they’re planning on that position having a larger role in the offense going forward.

Wilson has lined up everywhere for the Mountaineers, from in the backfield to out in the slot. It’s evident that they valued his blocking skills because they usually used him as a move-blocker, motioning him to the playside pre-snap on run plays.

He has great hands and was a legitimate pass-catching threat as well, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him not only make the practice squad as a depth fullback but potentially compete with Blake Whiteheart for the TE3 spot. (Though that might be a long shot due to Whiteheart’s performance in 2024.)

CB LaMareon James - TCU​

James was one of the best cornerbacks in the BIG 12 in 2024 and had 14 pass deflections, which was tied for 2nd-most in the FBS last season.

His overall speed, reported in the mid-4.3’s at his pro day, and closing burst have made it easy for him to recover if he overruns comeback routes and stay in lockstep with receivers on fades. It will be interesting to see if Cleveland wants to use him in the slot, as his skillset might translate better there at the NFL level.

He’s a feisty tackler as well, consistently showing the ability to step up and make big stops in the run game. James could be a shoo-in as CB6 if the team decides to head into the year with more than five cornerbacks.

S Donovan McMillon - Pittsburgh​

McMillon is a hybrid safety who’s been pretty good in some aspects, but he still needs to develop in open-field coverage and play recognition. He bites too often against play-action and has been below-average with his keys and eye discipline.

He has great size and physical attributes and has been an absolute force against the run at times. McMillon has everything you desire from a physical standpoint, he just needs to grow from the mental aspect of playing the position.

It’s no secret that Cleveland loves to find and develop UDFA safeties (D’Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman, Chris Edmonds), and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Donovan McMillon be the team’s 2025 iteration.

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Do you believe that these four players have the potential to make the team? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...ne-lamareon-james-eli-wilson-donovan-mcmillon

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns Shedeur Sanders comparison: A look at Brock Purdy’s rookie season

Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

Browns draft won’t be defined by Shedeur Sanders but he could define the future

The amount of ink (actually key strokes) that will be devoted to QB Shedeur Sanders will be massive and understandable. Not only is he not the usual fifth-round pick, but he also presents a unique opportunity for the Cleveland Browns moving forward. As currently constituted, Sanders is among the least important parts of the Browns 2025 NFL draft class but could be a game changer moving forward.

The biggest move by Cleveland GM Andrew Berry was trading out of the second overall pick, which gives them options in the 2026 NFL draft.

What if Sanders is the next Brock Purdy?

While we’ve noted that the Browns are likely looking for a quarterback prospect with a higher upside than the one they saw with Baker Mayfield, Purdy is a relatively appropriate comparison for Sanders. Both are accurate, smaller and lack elite arm talent but have enough to be successful.

Could that be enough for Cleveland to pass on taking a quarterback in 2026’s draft? A look at Purdy’s rookie year, which gave the San Francisco 49ers a ton of confidence in their young QB moving forward, could set realistic expectations for Sanders. Remember, HC Kyle Shanahan “knew” how good Purdy was long before he got on the field in regular season action:

While fans may want to see Sanders on the field, coaches and front offices will have enough information as practices happen behind closed doors.

If Sanders gets on the field, as Purdy did as a rookie, it may not be for many games. Purdy started five games and threw passes in seven in 2022. His stat line was good, but Shanahan limited his passing reps. In basically six full games, Purdy’s stat line:

• 114 of 170 - 67%
• 1,374 yards passing
• 13 TDs
• 4 INTs
• Sacked 11 times
• 22 rushing attempts, 13 yards and 1 rushing TD

In those six games, Purdy’s top yardage was in an overtime game where he threw for 284 yards. Only twice did he attempt more than 26 passes in those games, including in that overtime victory.

Pro Football Focus graded Purdy at 77.7 overall and 75.1 as a passer in 2022, 14th overall that season. Those grades have jumped into the 80s over the last two seasons.

If Sanders gets on the field in 2025, HC Kevin Stefanski will do best by limiting his passing attempts and giving him an opportunity to grow into the position like Purdy did. As it was with Purdy, the Browns are likely to know if Sanders is their quarterback of the future with the combination of training camp, practices and time he gets on the field.

Hitting on Sanders like the Niners did with Purdy would give Berry a ton of options in 2026, including selecting a player with one of their first-round selection while turning the other one into more picks and, potentially, putting them in position to select WR Jeremiah Smith in 2027.

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Do you think Purdy is a good comparison for Sanders? If Shedeur has a similar season as Brock did as a rookie, is that good enough to pass on a quarterback high in the 2026 NFL draft?

Share your Sanders/Purdy thoughts in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...sanders-comparison-brock-purdys-rookie-season

 

[Cleveland Browns]

NFL draft: State of Ohio high schools falling behind many states, like that one up north

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

The Buckeye state, not Buckeyes, didn’t do so well in the 2025 NFL draft

For good or bad reasons, the Cleveland Browns 2025 NFL draft will be one we talk about for years to come. The decision to trade out of the chance to draft WR/CB Travis Hunter and the choice of QB Shedeur Sanders will get a lot of attention, scrutiny and, likely, have a big impact on the field.

Off the field, specifically with Sanders, will be a big story given his star power, but something else was also clear in the State of Ohio in this year’s draft class: We are falling behind.

Of the 257 players selected in the 2025 NFL draft, 246 went to high schools in the United States. Of that number, just seven went to school in the State of Ohio, including Jack Sawyer and Ty Hamilton, who attended Pickerington together.

Once a hotbed of high school football, 11 states produced more draft picks than Ohio this year, including Michigan/That State Up North:

• Texas - 37
• Florida - 26
• Georgia - 22
• California - 16
• Louisiana - 10
• Virginia - 10
• Alabama - 9
• Michigan - 9
• South Carolina - 9
• Mayland - 8
• North Carolina - 8

While The Ohio State Buckeyes were busy dominating college football (except that rival team), the high schools did not produce high-level talent three, four and five years ago. Even per capita, Ohio didn't rank in the top five.

Here is where the Browns seven picks went to school:

• Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger - California
• Quinshon Judkins - Alabama
• Harold Fannin Jr. - Ohio
• Dillon Gabriel - Hawaii
• Dylan Sampson - Louisana
• Shedeur Sanders - Texas

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Do you think Ohio has a chance to be closer to the top of this list in the future or will the warmer states always have too much of a benefit?

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/5/2/24422339/nfl-draft-state-of-ohio-high-school-ranking

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns NFL draft film: LB Carson Schwesinger solves problems on defense

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JOK or no JOK, Browns 2nd round NFL draft pick Carson Schwesinger can fix the team’s problems on defense

The Cleveland Browns have a lot of issues and most of them in 2024 were on the offensive side of the ball. That didn’t stop GM Andrew Berry from selecting two defenders with the team’s first two selections. DT Mason Graham was considered by almost everyone among the top five prospects in the draft (top 3 for many).

It was the selection of LB Carson Schwesinger at the top of the second round of the 2025 NFL draft that really caused some surprise. Many believed the Browns would select a quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver or trade down with that pick. Schwesinger, given his position, wasn’t on the radar for many people.

Only once was Schwesinger selected in a mock draft (collected by Mock Draft Database) before the 4th round.

The hope is that Schwesinger will join Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to give Cleveland one of the most dynamic linebacker pairings in the NFL. We will have to wait to find out the future of JOK, but Schwesinger will help with some of the problems on the defensive side of the ball with or without Owusu-Koramoah.

Pro Football Focus had the Browns as the worst tackling team in the NFL last year. FTN’s DVOA ranked Cleveland’s run defense in the middle of the pack (15th overall).

Over at Browns Film Breakdown, we see how Schwesinger can be greatly helpful with both of those areas. In an agreement with BFB, here is a segment of their breakdown of the Browns newest linebacker:

So many great pieces of information in the above video about how Schwesinger is able to make plays as a run defender. Notice how many times the UCLA Bruin is one-on-one with a running back and he gets his man on the ground.

Browns Film Breakdown is a subscriber-based site through Substrack. Their model allows for some of the material to be free for everyone, but most of the in-depth film room material is for subscribers only. To bring more film content to our DBN community, we will bring segments of material over from BFB and encourage our readers to check out the material on their site and subscribe if interested.

I will also be a regular guest on their podcast, as I was last week.

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Watching the film breakdown of Schwesinger, do you think (along with the addition of Graham) the Browns have solved their run defense and tackling issues? How do you feel about Berry using the 33rd pick to take a linebacker? Any difference after seeing some of the film on him?

If you’ve never signed up for an account with us, which you will need to comment, you can do so here, then come back and share your Schwesinger thoughts

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...-film-carson-schwesinger-problems-defense-cla

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns: Could this veteran be a trade candidate?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

If the 2025 NFL season turns sour, TE David Njoku could be on the trading block, according to Pro Football Network.

The Cleveland Browns are again facing uncertain times heading into the 2025 season.

While the aging defense received some nice additions in defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger from the 2025 NFL Draft, there are still questions at safety and how well the defensive line outside Myles Garrett and Graham will hold up.

General manager Andrew Berry focused the team’s draft strategy heavily on offense, with an appealing one-two punch in running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, even if those selections further signal that Nick Chubb’s time in Cleveland may be drawing to a close.

Harold Fannin Jr. is intriguing as a tight end prospect, especially given that he won’t turn 21 until July, meaning there may be a large amount of production waiting to be unlocked as he matures.

It is similar to the situation the Browns undertook in 2017 when they selected tight end David Njoku in the first round of that year’s draft. Njoku was also just 20 when he was drafted and has been a solid, if not spectacular, presence in Cleveland’s offense for the past eight seasons.

With the NFL draft behind us, @SterlingXie dove in deep with his roster analysis to highlight one potential trade and/or cut candidate on each of the 32 teams https://t.co/6xcdqZYFF3

— PFSN (@PFN365) May 3, 2025​

Njoku and the Browns agreed to a restructured contract in 2023, and the Browns can void the deal after this season, although that would leave the Browns with $24.3 million in dead cap money for 2026, according to Over the Cap.

The combination of Fannin, the ongoing question over the quarterback position, and Njoku eyeing his next contract could make him a player to watch if the Browns decide to turn a veteran into some additional draft capital via a trade, according to Pro Football Network:

It’s a total mystery who will play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for the majority of the 2025 season. What doesn’t feel like a mystery is who the quarterback’s top two targets will be. Jerry Jeudy broke out last year when Jameis Winston gave the Browns a brief stint of exciting quarterback play, while David Njoku has been a fixture in the offense since being a first-round pick in 2017.

However, Njoku is nearing the end of his second contract, with 2025 being the last year of his deal. Cleveland potentially implemented a succession plan during the draft, using a third-round pick on Harold Fannin Jr. The Bowling Green tight end will need to adjust to a massive jump in competition, but the 2024 FBS leader in receiving yards could be a passing game weapon right away.

For a rebuilding Browns team, that may make Njoku a valuable trade commodity. Despite entering his ninth season, Njoku will still be 29 years old for all of next season. A team could reasonably want to trade and extend him, giving the Browns a chance to add even more draft capital as they seek to potentially make a move to the top of the 2026 draft for a franchise quarterback.

Would the Browns be open to trading Njoku? Anything is possible, of course, but a deal would hinge on a few factors:

• How quickly Fannin can adjust to the NFL. Not to take anything away from the MAC, but Fannin is about to take a major jump in the talent of opposing defenses. And as impressive as his 2024 season was with the Falcons - 117 receptions for 1,555 yards, and 10 touchdowns — he only totaled 63 receptions, 841 yards and 7 touchdowns combined in his other two seasons. It may take some time to see if that one big season was an outlier or a true indication of his abilities.
• Head coach Kevin Stefanski likes the flexibility of utilizing two tight ends, and a pairing of Njoku and Fannin is preferable to one of Fannin and Brenden Bates/Tre’ McKitty/Blake Whiteheart.
• How the quarterback position shakes out. If everything falls apart, then Njoku would not be the only veteran who may be moved before the trading deadline. But if Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel shows some promise, or if the Browns want to see what they can do with a full roster, then Njoku in the lineup would help with that evaluation.

There is still a long way to go before the Browns have to realistically face the question of whether or not to move on from some of their veteran players, as Berry works to rebuild the damage done from the trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

So, for now, it is hard to see how moving on from Njoku would make the team better.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...d-this-veteran-be-trade-candidate-david-njoku

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns: Is this UDFA one to watch?

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cleveland needs help with depth at safety, so there could be a path for Donovan McMillon to find a roster spot.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed the defense with the team’s first two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft before turning his attention solely to the offensive side of the ball.

That was an understandable strategy after the 2024 season, during which the Browns fielded some of the worst quarterback play in NFL history.

Related: Browns Roster: 4 UDFAs who could make the roster in 2025

Still, the defense needs to perform even with an improved offense. And one of the biggest question marks on the defensive side of the ball is at safety.

Grant Delpit, who is somehow already entering his sixth season with the Browns, has been a solid, if not necessarily spectacular, player at one safety position.

Pitt safety Donovan McMillon is officially a Cleveland Brown.

He talks getting signed by the Browns and what the Pitt program has meant to him @PghSportsNow. pic.twitter.com/gUsf9ZS2Na

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) April 26, 2025​

Opposite Delpit is Ronnie Hickman, who, since signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023, has slowly worked his way onto the field more and more.

Behind Delpit and Hickman is not much else at the moment, which is why Donovan McMillon, part of this year’s undrafted free agent class, could be a player to watch this summer, according to Nick Baumgardner at The Athletic:

Another big safety, McMillon (6-2, 203) played both safety spots and in the slot the last two years for Pitt, after spending time at Florida. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump. An aggressive coverage player, McMillon broke up five passes and forced six incompletions last year.

McMillon has the size to play the position at the NFL level, but also has “inconsistent instincts and execution” and is a player who will need “better consistency as a run stopper and tackler in the open field,” according to his draft profile at NFL.com.

Donovan McMillon is a SS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.20 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 99 out of 1228 SS from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/zoGwxIJZn0 pic.twitter.com/qsn2QhSPDU

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 4, 2025​

He did rank high in Relative Athletic Score, however, with a grade that placed him at No. 99 out of 1,228 strong safeties from 1987 to 2025.

According to Dawg By Nature's Damon Wolfe, that level of testing makes McMillon the exact type of undrafted free agent the Browns covet.

This isn’t to suggest that McMillon is a lock to make the roster, but given Cleveland’s lack of depth at the safety position, if he is willing to work hard on special teams, there could be a path for McMillon to see the field this fall.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/5/4/24423529/cleveland-browns-udfa-to-watch-donovan-mcmillon

 

[Cleveland Browns]

NFL free agency: 2 Browns related WR moves made official

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Diontae Johnson officially a Browns WR, Elijah Moore officially no longer a Browns WR

While fans wonder when/if the Cleveland Browns will bring back RB Nick Chubb in NFL free agency, the beat goes on as Browns rookie minicamp starts at the end of this week. After drafting seven players and, reportedly, bringing in a slew of undrafted free agents after the draft, Cleveland’s roster still had needs at the wide receiver and safety positions.

The safety need is still ever present but, according to reports, the Browns added former Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens WR Diontae Johnson to help the pass-catching group. At the same time, WR Elijah Moore was reportedly heading to the Buffalo Bills despite GM Andrew Berry applying a seldom-used free agent tag on the receiver.

Cleveland made the signing of Johnson official on Monday:

Adding to our receiving corps!

We've signed WR Diontae Johnson

» https://t.co/MHDksPmfIz pic.twitter.com/cnpXhaYMIV

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 5, 2025​

As a rookie, Johnson was a second-team All-Pro as a kick returner, which could be a role he takes on with the Browns.

The Bills also made the signing of Moore official on Monday:

Making things officialhttps://t.co/dzFo4iXlBn | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Rj2cRdEy3K

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 5, 2025​

In two seasons with the Browns, Moore caught 120 passes (both seasons marked career highs) for 1,178 yards and three touchdowns after being acquired in a trade with the New York Jets.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...y-browns-related-diontae-johnson-elijah-moore

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns new numbers: Big change for a CB, did Shedeur Sanders get #2? and more

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The NFL draft and NFL free agency brought in some new players, now we have their jersey numbers

The Cleveland Browns added seven players in the 2025 NFL draft and a number of others via NFL free agency. Earlier this week, we asked you to help us rank the best offseason move by the Browns and now we have jersey numbers to pair with all those new players... and one big change for a player set for free agency at the end of this season.

It is important to note that numbers are subject to change after the final 53-man roster. At quarterback for example, Kenny Pickett has Dillon Gabriel’s college number while Shedeur Sanders’ #2 from Colorado was taken by DeAndre Carter.

Sanders instead is in #12, the number of his college teammate, Travis Hunter. Many thought the Heisman Trophy winner was earmarked for Cleveland in this year’s draft.

The lone veteran change came with Martin Emerson Jr. switching from #23 to #1:

️ Emerson Island: population @MartyMargg1 | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/YxbXa3Ocp1

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 6, 2025

Rookie class​

• QB Dillon Gabriel — 5
• RB Quinshon Judkins — 10
• QB Shedeur Sanders — 12
• RB Dylan Sampson — 22
• LB Carson Schwesinger — 49
• TE Harold Fannin Jr. — 88
• DT Mason Graham — 94

Veterans / Free Agents:​

• CB Martin Emerson Jr. — 1
• WR DeAndre Carter — 2
• QB Kenny Pickett — 8
• CB Tony Brown II — 11
• WR Diontae Johnson — 16
• LB Jerome Baker — 17
• CB Nik Needham — 25
• K Andre Szmyt — 38
• DE Julian Okwara — 53
• OT Cornelius Lucas — 71
• G Teven Jenkins — 74
• DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka — 90
• DT Maliek Collins — 96

With rookie minicamp starting this week, players needed numbers and now we have them.

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Any numbers stand out to you? Do you care about what number a player wears (some believe certain numbers look bad on certain positions, etc) or is it just information?

Did you already buy a custom jersey assuming Sanders, Graham or others would have their college numbers? Do you have a #23 Emerson jersey? If so, tell us in the comments your thoughts as well

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/5/6/24424902/browns-numbers-jersey-shedeur-sanders-martin-emerson

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Shedeur Sanders, Andrew Berry built strong pre-draft bond

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT

The Browns’ GM and his 5th round draft pick forged a great relationship early on

The Cleveland Browns selected Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and it seems like Sanders’ camp wanted Shedeur to be in Cleveland all along.

A close friend of the Sanders family and a prominent figure on Shedeur’s social media team spoke to the local media yesterday.

He sat down with the guys on the “Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show” and talked about the rookie quarterback’s pre-draft process and gave some insight on how things went between Shedeur and Cleveland’s front office.

“Shedeur and Coach Prime both fell in love with Mr.Berry. They built a great relationship.”

.@Hboog32 says that during the draft process, both Sheduer Sanders and Deion Sanders fell in love with #Browns GM Andrew Berry, ultimately getting Shedeur excited about the possibility of rocking Brown & Orange.

: https://t.co/DhD4YfTcOW pic.twitter.com/v7ARXrFS1J

— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) May 6, 2025​

This hasn’t been the only time that this type of info has been relayed, specifically regarding the relationship built between the Sanders family and Andrew Berry.

It’s still a mystery as to why he fell all the way to the 5th round, but it looks like it was meant to be all along.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...-media-team-member-deion-sanders-andrew-berry

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Flacco vs. Pickett vs. Gabriel vs. Sanders: Who are the Browns cutting or trading?

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Which quarterbacks will survive?

Joe Flacco.
Kenny Pickett.
Dillion Gabriel.
Shedeur Sanders.

Not to mention, the Cleveland Browns still have Deshaun Watson in the quarterback room too. What a mess this has become. Don’t get me wrong — it’s not an unmanageable mess per se, but what once appeared to be a one-year veteran quarterback competition between Flacco and Pickett, has now turned into a situation of four quarterbacks in the mix for the job, and having no idea how to get each of them the appropriate amount of reps.

Based on draft status, technically, Sanders should get the least amount of reps, but he’s also by far going to receive the most media coverage out of all rookies on the team, and perhaps even more coverage than all of the veterans on the Browns. It’s just a whacky situation.

Teams also have gone toward the tendency of carrying a maximum of two or three quarterbacks on the roster, with one of those quarterbacks often being on the practice squad. It’s hard to imagine all four of these guys sticking around by the time Week 1 comes around. The question is, when will one of these quarterbacks be moved on from? Will it be during final roster cutdowns? Or, could the team make a move on one of them during the offseason programs?

In my mind, I imagine that Andrew Berry will not want to move on from a fourth- and fifth-round pick so quickly, so I think they are hoping that Gabriel or Sanders will mesh well with Kevin Stefanski’s system and can be the backup heading into the year. Then, it’ll be a matter of who is the bridge starter for the 2025 season — Flacco or Pickett. Despite Flacco’s struggles last year, I think a majority of the fanbase will be on Flacco’s side, and tell the team to ditch Pickett.

Berry has also shown a habit of building up a quarterback and then trading them (like Josh Dobbs). Perhaps we’ll see a scenario in which Flacco looks good enough to be the starter, but Pickett lights it up with the second-team offense, and a quarterback-needy team will want to trade for him.

If we look back at Pickett’s contract for 2025, it’s really simple: $2.623 million guaranteed. Cleveland could eat that if he’s cut, but it’s also not too absurd an amount if another team wants him.

What about trading Flacco? We broke down Flacco’s contract the other day, but Cleveland would only be on the hook for his $1.745 million signing bonus in a trade. The trade partner would take on the remaining $2.505 million of Flacco’s deal:

If the Browns were to pursue a Flacco trade, the new team would pick up $2.5m and the Browns would have to eat his $1.75m signing bonus. It’s not ideal, but the trade partner would presumably offer more draft capital with the understanding that they’re getting a $1.75m discount.

— Anthony Reinhard (@reinhardNFL) April 29, 2025​

In that sense, it basically costs a team the same amount of money to trade for Flacco or Pickett — although if Flacco’s incentives can be earned by a new team, that could inflate his deal a bit. Pickett has the youth that teams are craving when thinking of the bigger picture, though. Flacco, despite his experience, has sat on the free agent wire for awhile for several years in a row, as teams haven’t shown the most demand for him unless there was a degree of desperation.

In a trade, there would also have to be another piece of the puzzle — meaning a team would have to throw a low draft pick at the Browns in return compensation, unless another player-for-player deal is done.

If one of the quarterbacks ends up being off the team come Week 1, who do you think it’ll be, Browns fans?

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...sanders-who-are-the-browns-cutting-or-trading

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns have 56 players at rookie minicamp. Which of the 26 tryouts will win a roster spot?

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

A category breakdown of who is participating in Browns rookie minicamp this weekend.

Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp is officially underway in Berea and will run from May 9-11, before a few of the rookies head off to the NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Earlier today, the Browns officially confirmed the signing of 13 undrafted free agents, which brings their roster to 91 players. Unless there is a player exemption that I am unaware of, the team should be releasing someone soon to get to 90 players.

Nonetheless, there is also a lot of competition taking place at rookie minicamp. A total of 56 players are taking place, including 26 players who are trying out. Let’s break the players down by category:

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2025 NFL Draft Picks (7 players)​

• QB Dillon Gabriel
• QB Shedeur Sanders
• RB Qunshon Judkins
• RB Dylan Sampson
• TE Harold Fannin Jr.
• DT Mason Graham
• LB Carson Schwesinger

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Undrafted Free Agents (13 players)​

• RB Ahmani Marshall - 6-1, 225 lbs - Appalachian State
• FB Eli Wilson - 6-3, 239 lbs - Appalachian State
• WR Gage Larvadain - 5-8, 171 lbs - South Carolina
• WR Ja’Seem Reed - 6-1, 190 lbs - San Diego
• OG Justin Osborne - 6-4, 307 lbs - SMU
• OT Jason Ivey - 6-5, 300 lbs - North Carolina A&T
• OG Dartanyan Tinsley - 6-3, 340 lbs - Cincinnati
• DT Adin Huntington - 6-1, 281 lbs - Tulane
• LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold - 5-11, 227 lbs - USC
• S Donovan McMilllon - 6-2, 203 lbs - Pittsburgh
• CB Dom Jones - 6-2, 192 lbs - Colorado State
• CB LaMareon James - 5-10, 193 lbs - TCU
• LS Brent Matiscik - 6-1, 230 lbs - TCU

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Tryouts (26 players)​

• FB Peter Montini - 6-0, 233 lbs - Colorado State
• WR Kisean Johnson - 6-1, 216 lbs - Western Kentucky
• WR Zach Patterson - 5-8, 179 lbs - Central Missouri State
• WR Cade McDonald - 5-10, 196 lbs - Miami (OH)
• WR Malcolm Johnson - 6-1, 188 lbs - Bowling Green
• WR Luke Floriea - 5-8, 179 lbs - Kent State
• WR Jabre Barber - 5-9, 179 lbs - Texas A&M
• TE John Samuel Shenker - 6-3, 242 lbs - Auburn
• TE Deontay Campbell - 6-3, 245 lbs - Missouri Southern State
• TE Keshawn Toney - 6-2, 251 lbs - South Carolina State
• TE Mitch Van Vooren - 6-5, 242 lbs - St. Norbert
• OG Cam’Ron Johnson - 6-3, 305 lbs - Missouri
• DE John Pius - 6-3, 242 lbs - Wisconsin
• DE Davin Vann - 6-1, 269 lbs - North Carolina State
• LB Ty Wise - 6-2, 223 lbs - Miami (OH)
• LB Donald Willis - 6-1, 225 lbs - Western Michigan
• LB Matt Hudson - 6-2, 231 lbs - Memphis
• LB Macklin Ayers - 6-2, 226 lbs - Massachusetts-Amherst
• CB Tahveon Nicholson - 5-9, 182 lbs - Louisville
• CB Jordan Wright - 5-10, 187 lbs - Connecticut
• CB Christian Ais - 6-0, 202 lbs - New Haven
• CB Austin McKinney - 6-0, 200 lbs - Northwest Missouri State
• S Iverson Brown - 6-1, 211 lbs - Southern Illionois
• S Joseph Charleston - 6-0, 204 lbs - Missouri
• K Michael Hughes - 6-2, 180 lbs - Appalachian State
• P Avery Brook - 5-10, 197 lbs - Akron

It’s not unheard of to see 2 or 3 tryout players be impressive enough during the rookie minicamp that they end up getting signed. However, some players are there to simply fill out the numbers game for a camp in all liklihood. For example, the Browns need someone to handle punt duties, so they brought Avery Brook from Akron in to handle those duties for the weekend.

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Non-Rookies on Roster (10 players)​

• WR Kaden Davis
• OT Julian Pearl
• OT Roy Mbaeteka
• OT Lorenzo Thompson
• OG Brady Latham
• DT Ralph Holley
• DE Marcus Haynes
• S Christopher Edmonds
• S Trey Dean
• K Andrew Szmyt

Every year, there are some players who aren’t rookies, but are fringe first-year players (typically on reserve/future contracts), who also take part in rookie minicamp. These are the type of players who also need to have a solid rookie minicamp, because if one of those 26 tryout players makes a big impression, these guys could be viewed as yesterday’s news, so-to-speak.

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While all of the headlines will be on Shedeur Sanders, are there any tryout players who caught your eye from their college days?

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...hich-of-the-26-tryouts-will-win-a-roster-spot

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Can you guess this Browns kicker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Browns player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey, Cleveland Browns fans! We’re back for another day of the Dawgs By Nature in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Dawgs By Nature in-5 game​

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous Games​

Friday, May 9, 2025
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Dawgs By Nature in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Browns player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS this week. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. The game appears in slot #3 of the DBN layout each day this week and as noted above, will appear in this article exclusively. Additionally, there is a more general version of this at SBNation.com, which features a variety of random players that do not necessarily have Eagles history.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/5/10/24427373/sb-nation-browns-daily-trivia-in-5