Cleveland passed on Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the much-lauded "Unicorn" who could make an impact at both wide receiver and cornerback, and Penn State's pass-rushing standout Abdul Carter to order to land Jacksonville's second round pick (giving Cleveland two of the first four picks in round two and another chance for Berry to trade down) Jacksonville's fourth rounder (126) and the biggest prize of all, Jacksonville's first rounder in 2026.
The first rounder next season could be used to improve draft position and give the Browns a chance to be in a position to add a quarterback in what appears to be a far better quarterback class.
The Browns sent the second overall pick, their fourth-rounder (104), and one of their many sixth-rounders (200) to Jacksonville, who quickly snared Travis Hunter.
The Browns then used Jacksonville's first-round pick to select Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, the best defensive tackle in the draft.
The 6'3, 320-pound Graham finished 2024 with twenty-three solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks for Michigan.
Graham is strong, relentless against the run and pass, and a former wrestler, which I've always loved when looking at linemen on both sides of the football.
Dane Brugler (draft analyst for The Athletic) uses the term "leverage monster" for Graham, which is appropriate because Graham sheds blockers and can provide some interior pass rush, even if his three seasons produced only nine sacks.
Here's my take- the return for the second overall choice is pretty good.
Mason Graham is an excellent player, and while he's not the flashiest selection, I think it is a solid one in a draft that lacks elite, impact talent outside of Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter.
Granted, Andrew Berry appeared to have made an excellent deal based on the return from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the trade has one flaw- it's still Andrew Berry making the selections.
You can own the first five picks in a draft and if the wrong guy is running your draft, it can be screwed up.
Travis Hunter is a special player with abilities on both sides of the ball that we may never see again, and would have made a bad and boring team more watchable.
Mason Graham will be a step-in starter and at number five in a draft that lacked flashier stars, I have zero problems taking Graham, other than the Browns (who have, as recently as 2022, thought that the defensive tackle position wasn't one worth investing big resources) have now used their top pick on defensive tackles (Graham and 2024 second rounder Mike Hall), which causes me to wonder why the philosophical change and what data caused this flip?
My issue isn't with Mason Graham, it's with Andrew Berry and how many in the Browns media tolerate this stuff.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, who I like as a reporter, but is a bit of a Kool-Aid drinker toward Berry and the administration with tweeting during the draft about "Wheelin' and Dealin'" Andrew Berry like he's Dusty Rhodes preparing for a challenge of Tully Blanchard, when it's Berry's "Wheelin and Dealin" that's caused this mess in the first place!
The Browns have four picks on day two, two of the first four and have a chance to nab two quality players, players who could have easily selected in the first round such as Marshall defensive end Mike Green, who I think might be a better pure pass rusher than Abdul Carter, either Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, or Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, players to help an offense in desperate need.
Knowing Andrew Berry and his philosophy, I'd be surprised if the Browns actually use both picks to accumulate more choices now and in 2026.
After all, it's better to have four mediocre players than one good one.
I will be working during the remainder of the draft, so my recaps of each Cleveland choice may be slower than usual, but I will post them as quickly as possible!
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