2025 NFL Draft: Know your new Steelers enemies, the Cleveland Browns

Steeler Nation waited in torture on Thursday and the entirety of the 2025 NFL Draft waiting to see who their Steelers would select after enduring the false and presumptive claims from the national media matchmakers. After DT Derrick Harmon joined the black-and-gold, fans turned their attention closely to see who their AFC North competition selected to improve their squad.

Last year Cleveland added the likes of Mike Hall Jr., Zak Zinter and Jamari Thrash to name a few. Below are the guys that the Browns will put out against the Steelers twice a year for a good while. We include excerpts of scouting analysis from SCN’s very own Andrew Wilbar and his 2025 Big Board 300.

Round 1, Pick 5 Cleveland Browns select DT Mason Graham – Michigan

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Graham is an outstanding run defender who is rarely pushed off the ball. His outstanding functional strength combined with his uncanny ability to generate leverage with a quick release out of his stance make him an incredibly disruptive force on the defensive interior. Graham’s motor and character will never be in question, displaying admirable effort on every down. However, I believe his heavy hands have as much to do with his success as anything. He can shed blocks at a success rate that is rare for an interior lineman, and he typically gets loose due to bullying defenders with his hands. As a pass rusher, he consistently pushes opposing linemen backward, often resulting in a collapsed pocket. His athleticism and IQ combined with his passion for the game give him elite long-term upside. More attention needs to be given to the pass-rushing aspect of his game. He does a nice job generating pressure, but he is not a finisher yet. He does not possess elite closing speed, which often gives quarterbacks a chance to escape outside the pocket as Graham helps collapse the pocket.

Mason Graham can step in on Day 1, ideally in a 3-technique role, and be an immediate contributor. If opportunity and scheme fit align properly, he has the potential to become one of the best in the league in short order, but he will still need to prove himself as a pass rusher and learn to finish once loosened from his opponent.

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

Adding Graham to the interior of a defensive line that features the brilliance of Myles Garrett will make the Browns more formidable up front.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

The Steelers need to make sure their blocking schemes are on-point as running and passing against Cleveland has absolutely gotten more difficult. With a couple of MGs to face twice a year, the Browns will be a tough out twice a year. But the Browns had an opportunity to draft the Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, esteemed wrecker Abdul Carter and star RB Ashton Jeanty, but they made a great move to acquire a No. 1 next year and a slew of other picks to move down to No. 5. Although a fine selection and a projected impact pass rusher, the pick was kind of safe and kind of “ho-hum”. This seems like a very Browns move and one that won’t really move the needle like is expected from drafting second overall.

Round 2, Pick 33 Cleveland Browns select LB Carson Schwesinger – UCLA

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Schwesinger has a relentless attitude and determination. The former walk-on is an explosive athlete who avoids engagement with linemen and closes quickly on ball-carriers. Is instinctive and elusive in coverage; while displaying fluid hips and a smooth backpedal. Doesn’t always play as big as his size would indicate on tape; can get bullied by power backs and power blockers

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

The Browns are tough on Defense. Big Shwes makes them tougher in the weaker part of the D.

What What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

It’s another big fella for the Steelers to deal with, but they have the big-backed bullies to hopefully stifle Schwesinger.

Round 2, Pick 36 Cleveland Browns select RB Quinshon Judkins – Ohio State

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Judkins is an imposing downhill runner who balances power with patience, displaying fantastic discipline and physicality. I love running backs with leg drive, and Judkins does a wonderful job of keeping the legs churning after contact. This trait makes him incredibly difficult to bring down single-handedly. If he really wants to impose his power on defenders, I believe he possesses the athleticism to add another 10 pounds and still bring sufficient speed and explosiveness to the table. The Ole Miss transfer has not been used as a pass catcher at Ohio State as much as he was with Lane Kiffin, but I have seen enough to believe in his receiving abilities out of the backfield. He is not an elite route-runner, but he possesses good body control and secure hands. I would be remiss not to mention Judkins’ outstanding contact balance as well, as Judkins always seems to find a way to stay on his feet and avoid tackles at the second level of the defense.

The most frustrating part of watching Judkins on tape is his severe lack of decisiveness. Judkins has the vision to find the hole, but he hesitates too long looking for something better, only for the initial hole to close by the time he decides to go through it. Becoming more confident in his eyes and hitting the hole with conviction are two things that work hand in hand and would significantly improve his value as a runner. Judkins’ pass blocking was a little anemic at times, but several of his blown assignments may have been due to poor communication rather than an inability to execute.

Judkins has three-down potential in the NFL, but how high he can go in the draft will likely be capped by the incredible depth of the running back class this year. TreVeyon Henderson took a good portion of carries away from Judkins, but that may have only helped his cause in that he has less tread on the tires entering the draft.

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

The Browns get a back comparable to another Buckeye that did great things in the NFL, and that was Ezekiel Elliott.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

The Black and Gold might no longer have to deal with Nick Chubb, but Judkins fits the mold. However, Judkins must know that he who hesitates, waits to be seen in the E.R.

Round 3, Pick 67 Cleveland Browns select TE Harold Fannin Jr. – Bowling Green

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

• Record-setting production at BGSU
• Explosive after the catch; plays faster than he times
• Knows how to separate
• Great hands in traffic
• Lacks the body type to be an in-line tight end and contribute as an in-line blocker

Round 3, Pick 94 Cleveland Browns select QB Dillon Gabriel – Oregon

From BAD’s Little Board:

• High Scorer
• Has a good feel for where to target his throws
• Calm in the pocket, Instinctive out of the pocket
• Nice touch
• Lacks size for a prototypical QB
• A majority of 2024 targets were less than ten yards with 25% behind the line
• Lacks quickness
• Sets in on targets too long with his eyes
• Average accuracy
• Lacks arm-strength to lead receivers deep

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

Gabriel was productive for the college game, but he projects as a backup in the NFL.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

Nothing and Everything. The Browns used a premium third-round selection and then another on QBs that won’t scare the Steelers or anybody else.

Round 4, Pick 126 Cleveland Browns select RB Dylan Sampson – Tennessee

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Sampson is one of the most explosive running backs in this class, hitting the hole with incredible pop on a consistent basis. His compact build allows him to remain low to the ground and gain tough yards in between the tackles, and his ability to build up speed quickly makes it difficult on linebackers to bring him down one-on-one. Sampson also displays great instincts as a runner, anticipating tackling angles of defenders and adapting accordingly. He is uniquely twitchy in between the tackles and incredibly slippery, making it a challenge to bring him down in the open field. With a player as productive as Sampson was in 2024, it is hard to see him not making a major impact as a rookie.

While it is unclear what weight Sampson ran at during his time at Tennessee, it appears as if he dropped a little weight this offseason in efforts to test faster during the draft process. If Sampson wants to be a workhorse back at the next level, getting closer to the 210-215 range would allow him to take on NFL defenders with more power. Ball security became an issue in 2024 after having suffered zero fumbles his first 2 1/2 seasons with the Vols, which I find rather intriguing. His pass protection skills are also raw, and it could limit his value on third downs until he improves in that area.

Sampson’s primary value at this stage in the game is explosive running; however, his upside is through the roof if he can develop his skills in pass protection and as a pass catcher. His NFL comparison is a little taller than him and was more well-rounded coming out of college, but I believe the upside is similar.

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

Unlike Judkins, Sampson hits the hole with fervor. He’s a fast threat to take it to the house.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

The Steelers have to be concerned with the quickness of Samson who reminds people of James Cook. But if he has ball-security issues, the addition of run-stoppers could help thwart the danger.

Round 5, Pick 144 Cleveland Browns select QB Shedeur Sanders – Colorado

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Sanders is not hyped simply because of his bloodlines. Inside the pocket, Sanders delivers the ball with tremendous accuracy, and he throws the ball where only his receiver can get it. His ability to hold the safety over the middle of the field with his eyes have allowed him to connect on several clutch passes on the perimeter, and his patience as a passer prevents unnecessary throws into double and triple coverage, keeping the turnovers. Prior to Sanders’ rough bowl game performance, he had only thrown 8 interceptions over 12 games, bringing to light his smarts and discretion. He is not the fastest or most athletic quarterback, but he has enough mobility to escape oncoming pass rushers when the pocket breaks down. His toughness and drive are certainly admirable, and the team that drafts him will definitely be getting a leader.

While it is true Sanders possesses great patience inside the pocket, he sometimes holds onto the ball too long before using his legs to escape the pass rush, and he does not always navigate the pocket with fluid footwork. There are several crucial, but fixable, mechanical issues that will need to be ironed out at the next level, and footwork is one of those issues, specifically when under duress inside the pocket. Sanders has a decent arm, but it is not elite, and he is not a gunslinger that typically zips a ball over the middle of the field into a tight window. Perhaps we see more of that at the next level, but he is not as comfortable a passer when throwing inside the hashes as opposed to the perimeter.

Sanders is still one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. If he can continue to strengthen his arm and learn to use his legs before the pocket collapses, he has a chance to become a top-15 quarterback in the NFL.

What BAD thinks this means for the Browns:

Sanders’ abilities should have had him picked on Day One. He’s not a Hall of Famer, but I would have taken him over Jackson Dart because of his talent. He’s comparable to Dak Prescott. But the truth remains that Sanders is a divider and not a uniter and he ticked off a lot of front offices in the Pre-Draft Process. Sanders is going to win some games, but I see him playing more to stuff money into Louis Vuitton bags and flaunting it, then to leading and inspiring.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers:

The only thing bad about the Sanders Circus going to Cleveland, is the fact that it didn’t happen in Round 1. He’s no Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow. Hell, he’s not even Mason Rudolph. I think this is going to be a disaster and the Steelers will be better for it.

The Browns acquired some talent, but nothing that significantly takes the team to the next level. It’s of this author’s opinion that they mangled this particular draft. However, they did fleece Jacksonville and could have to top-five picks next season.