Just how good was the Browns 2025 draft?

    The main reason Jimmy Haslam and the Cleveland Browns consistently give for retaining Andrew Berry is his tremendous 2025 draft.

After the mediocre drafts run by Berry before 2025, an average draft would look good, but how good was the 2025 draft for Cleveland?

Let's take a look:

Round One: Mason Graham (5th overall) Defensive Tackle, Michigan.

Graham was obtained with the pick from Jacksonville in the trade that dropped the Browns from fifth to second and included Jacksonville's 2026 first-rounder.

Graham started every game and dropped runners for losses seven times, but only notched four hits on the quarterback and finished with only a half-sack on the year.

If you are picking a defensive tackle fifth overall, you expect an impact player, and I'm not sure Graham is that type of player.

He may make a Pro Bowl or two, but I still think he was overdrafted.

Two excellent wide receivers had strong rookie seasons (Tetairoa McMillan to Carolina and Emeka Egbuka to Tampa Bay), and the Browns have the league's weakest receiving corps; they could have used either of those two.

Round Two: Carson Schwesinger LB, UCLA

This is where I give Andrew Berry his first good grade, as I was concerned about Schwesinger as the first pick in round two.

Schwesinger was the deserving defensive rookie of the year, finishing with sixty-seven solo tackles, two and a half sacks, and two interceptions in sixteen games.

Schwesinger has a motor that never stops, and is a player who is fun to root for.

If he doesn't become beaten down by the organization, Schwesinger could be a stalwart for a long time in Cleveland.

Round Two: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Judkins would have likely finished with over one thousand yards rushing if not for a late-season injury, but still finished with 827 yards and seven touchdowns as the person every defense focused on every week.

Judkins will be the main back for the Browns in 2026 and hopes to up his 2025 average of 3.6 yards per carry.

Round Three: Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green

This was the pick  I liked most after the draft, and another big hit for Andrew Berry.

Fannin caught 72 passes for over 700 yards and, as a rookie, was the only pass catcher Cleveland quarterbacks could depend on to catch the ball.

Fannin is still learning the position and has the type of potential to be a long-term standout.

Round Three: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

I hated this pick when the Browns made it, and even though it was an "extra" third-round pick (Obtained from Buffalo for Amari Cooper), the Browns gave it away.

Gabriel appeared in 10 games, throwing 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, but those numbers are deceiving, as he rarely threw the ball more than a yard or two downfield.

Two picks later, Atlanta chose Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, who intercepted five passes and was a challenger to Carson Schwesinger as defensive rookie of the year.

A blown opportunity for the Browns, who now will either give Gabriel away before the draft, or he will have to beat someone out next season to be the third-stringer.

Round Four: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Used as a pass-catching back (33 catches, 271 yards, and two touchdowns) more than as a runner (175 yards on 65 carries), Sampson didn't dazzle anyone in his playing time.

Rather than a second running back, Cleveland could have taken Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis, who showed promise for the Colts and could have been a starter for the Browns next year since all of their  2025 starters on the offensive line could be elsewhere.

Round Five: Shedeu Sanders, QB, Colorado,

Sanders showed occasional flashes of talent but just as often seemed lost against the speed of NFL play, and for all the touting about his accuracy, he completed fifty-six percent of his passes (nothing special) and threw ten interceptions against seven scores.

Sanders struggles against the pass rush, and while he needs to develop patience in the pocket, he never gives up on a play.

This was a low risk high reward selection, and while the jury is still out on Sanders being the long-term answer at quarterback, I'm in on giving him the chance to be the starter in 2026 to find out.

My scores are as follows

Home Runs: (2) Carson Schwesinger, Harold Fannin

Solid Base Hits: (1) Quinshon Judkins,

Base Hits: (2) Mason Graham, Shedeur Sanders

Meh: (1) Dylan Sampson

Strikeouts: (1) Dillon Gabriel.

That's a very good draft class with a chance of being excellent, if Mason Graham improves, and especially with development from Shedeur Sanders.

But I still wince at the selection of Dillon Gabriel, and taking Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders wasn't fair to either of their development.

Overall, give Andrew Berry credit, but I'll still have to see Berry do it again before I'm convinced the Browns are on the proper track.

Road Trip: Day Three- Taking Home Vince

    We got up early for what was scheduled to be the busiest day of the trip.

I've written about Jungle Jim's International Market several times here, but it's not a trip to the Cincinnati area without a stop at Jungle Jim's.

I admit that I love taking my travel companions to Jungle Jim's because I enjoy telling them about the store, listening, and watching them think It's just a grocery store, like Wegman's, right?"

And then to see them be amazed when they first walk through and take in what there is to see, I get quite a chuckle out of it.

Fred was just as amazed as everyone else and, as in the past, walked away wanting to show someone else Jungle Jim's someday.

Down the road a bit from the Jungle is the Ohio Valley Antique Mall, where I had some luck in the past, most notably a Cincinnati Royals program for the collection.

I found a 1979 Street and Smith's baseball preview with a J.R.Richard cover and a 1973 program from the Cincinnati Reds, but the big find was near the end of the facility tour.

Inside a glass case rested the trophy above.

In 1971, an award featuring a bronze cast of Vince Lombardi was presented to a former NBA All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer Jack Twyman.

Twyman is the namesake of the NBA's Twyman-Stokes award for best teammate and is named for the two for the care that Twyman provided Stokes after an accident that ended Stokes's career.

Sidebar- I can't believe with all the remakes and reboots in Hollywood, no one has made a film about the Twyman-Stokes saga since the 1973 film "Maurie" starring former NFL star Bernie Casey and Bo Svenson of Walking Tall fame.

The trophy was presented by Mack Trucks CEO, Zenon Hansen, to Twyman and was available for purchase.

I have been unable to find anything further about the trophy (If anyone knows anything further, please contact me!). Although I suspect it came from the family (Jack Twyman passed away in 2012) or perhaps one other owner.

The case's consignor had a note of twenty percent off, which made it still expensive but feasible, and the light bulb went off on where this trophy belonged.

Only one person I know combines the love of Vince Lombardi and basketball history, and I began to try to figure out how to land this big fish.

After I purchased my items, Fred bought his and said goodbye to an employee he had been talking with while I looked around, we drove down the road to eat lunch at Roosters.

While we waited for our food, I called Omaha, explained what it is to Ryan, and sent a few photos.

After hearing the price, even after the discount, Ryan wanted it, but money is always tight around the Christmas season, and he reluctantly had to pass.

Then I asked him this: If I were to provide some of the money as his Christmas gift, would he be interested in obtaining it?

Ryan liked that idea, and after lunch, Fred and I returned to Ohio Valley to see if perhaps a deal could be made.

I walked in and found the guy Fred had talked with to ask if he could call the seller with an offer, as I wanted to try to save Ryan and myself a few dollars.

He said that he couldn't do that, which I found odd.

Usually, at antique malls, the management will call a seller, but only if the item is over a specified number, which I understand because sellers don't want to be bothered by someone wanting to pay 2.50 for a five-dollar item.

So, I countered by asking to see the manager, whom he said was eating lunch.

I thought she would want to be consulted on this, so I asked him if a call could be made.

He wasn't thrilled but asked her, and he came back saying that the call would be made and apologized to me for being incorrect earlier about not being allowed to call.

He then asked for my offer and if I wanted to add anything else, which I did- I wanted him to tell the seller that I was traveling through from Maryland and that there wouldn't be a second chance tomorrow.

That happened to me once on an item, and the seller (who was in the store) said, "Oh, you'll be back tomorrow, you know you want it." So I wanted to be sure that the seller knew that this was the only opportunity.

The offer was accepted, so we saved some money, but I was happier to land a unique item for Ryan and his collection.

It's a good feeling to do something for someone you love and care for.

Fred and I drove to Columbus to spend the night before going home the next day.

When I brought Vince home, Cherie looked at him and, with the weight of the award, thought that he would be residing in our dining room for a long time.

However, Ryan visited in January and took Vince with him.

Vince is now exactly where he belongs- Omaha with Ryan and Archie. 

Boxing Challenge: Ajagba flattens Martin

  Charles Martin fought well for two rounds in the heavyweight main event for Zuffa Boxing in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Unfortunately for Martin, the fight was scheduled for ten, and once Efe Ajagba began landing, Martin's night became difficult and ended in round four.

Ajagba knocked Martin down once in the third round, but Martin fought back well to survive the round.

Ajagba landed his big right again early in the fourth, dropping Martin, and after Martin rose in worse shape than the first knockdown, Ajagba battered Martin along the ropes to force the stoppage.

Ajagba is reported to be a huge puncher, but when he has stepped up in class (Frank Sanchez, Martin Bakole, and Guido Vianello), he is just 1-1-1 and his power hasn't carried with his rise in opposition.

This doesn't bode well for Martin, who hadn't fought since 2024 before this loss.

Ajagba called for top contenders in the division but I'm not sure that will happen with his commitment to Zuffa, who lacks any other top heavyweights, wants to ignore the sanctioning bodies (which takes Ajagba out of title eliminators) and is unlikely to allow him to fight outside their cards other than the "Ring Magazine" supercards, which has the same owner as Zuffa.

Ajagba could receive more exposure with Zuffa, but fight less-than-great competition.

Boxing Challenge

Vince Samano: 18 Pts (0) 

Ramon Malpica; 18 Pts (1)
TRS: 18 Pts (1)

Boxing Challenge:

   For the second week in a row, we have a one-fight week in the boxing challenge with Zuffa Boxing's main event on Paramount+ Saturday night.

Heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba meets former IBF champion Charles Martin in the main event, and while it's not the most scintillating match, it's worth a watch with Ajagba's standing as a top ten heavyweight.

Ajagba was thought to be a big puncher as a prospect, but has struggled to score knockouts as his opposition improved.

Ajagba drew with Martin Bakole in his last fight, which he deserved the decision, and won a split decision over Guido Vianello, which he didn't in his outing before that.

Martin has fought just twice since 2022, losing almost every round but badly stinging Jared Anderson in 2023 and scoring a first-round KO over a journeyman in 2024.

Boxing Challenge

Heavyweights. 10 Rds 

Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin

Ramon Malpica and TRS: Ajagba Unanimous Decision

Vince Samano: Martin Unanimous Decision

Cleaning out the Inbox: Passings

   It's time for us to pay our respects to a few people of note who have recently passed away.

Goodbye to Mickey Lolich at the age of 85.

The portly lefthander won three games in the 1968 World Series for the Detroit Tigers' upset win over the St.Louis Cardinals, winning the Series MVP for his efforts.

Lolich led the American League in wins (25) and strikeouts in 1971, made three All-Star teams, and won fourteen games or more every season from 1964 through 1974.

Lolich finished his career with 217 wins and a 3.44 ERA after he played his final three seasons with the Mets and Padres.

Goodbye to Sonny Jurgensen at the age of 91.

A fourth-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957, Jurgensen would win an NFL title ring as Norm Van Brocklin's backup in 1960.

After being traded to Washington in 1964 for Norm Snead, Jurgensen would hit his prime, leading the league in passing yards three times (he led the league twice as an Eagle) and throwing 179 touchdown passes in his years in Washington.

Jurgensen was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983 and is a member of both Washington and Philadelphia's team Halls.

Jurgensen was a longtime member of Washington's radio crew and worked in Washington media for decades.

Goodbye to Barry Wilburn at the age of 62.

Wilburn is one of only ten (as of 2025) players to have won a Super Bowl (Washington) and a Grey Cup (Saskatchewan) in a career spanning 1985-99.

Wilburn led the NFL in interceptions in 1987, picking off nine passes and being named All-Pro.

Wilburn also holds the Washington team record for longest interception return when he intercepted a Minnesota pass in 1987 and returned it 100 yards for a score.

Goodbye to King T.Leatherbury at the age of 92.

One of the "Big Four" in Maryland horse racing in the 1960s and 70s, Leatherbury is fifth all-time in victories in American racing.

With Richard Dutrow, Bud Delp, and John Tammaro, Leatherbury dominated Maryland racing through "claiming" (buying horses in special races) ,,earning him the title "King of the Claimers".

Leatherbury was named to the Racing Hall of Fame in 2015.

Goodbye to Elroy Face at the age of 97.

The "fireman" for the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, Face led the National League in saves three times and finished second on three more.

In 1959,  Face finished 18-1 with all decisions in relief, and to this day, Face s the all-time Pirates leader in appearances and saves.

Face saved three of the four Pirate wins over the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series, except for the famous Bill Mazeroski walk-off home run in game seven.

Face spent all but a year and a half of his sixteen-year career with Pittsburgh, moving to Detroit and expansion Montreal in 1968 and 69 to finish his career. 

Boxing Challenge: Figueroa knocks out Ball in 12th

 Brandon Figueroa landed a crushing left hand seconds into the final round to drop Nick Ball, and after Ball bravely rose, drove the champion down into the ropes to force the stoppage in Liverpool, England, and give Figueroa Ball's WBA featherweight crown.

The fight was an entertaining but awkward battle with the diminutive Ball swapping punches with the much taller Figueroa.

The scores were divergent entering the final round, with two judges having Figueroa ahead by three points and the other scoring Ball ahead by five points.

I had Figueroa ahead slightly, 105-104, and the scores from around the net had many scoring for each fighter.

Figueroa convincingly closed the show in the final round and will take the title back to PBC, while the other three champions have an affiliation of some sort with Top Rank: WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, WBC king Bruce Carrington, and IBF boss Angelo Leo.

Boxing Challenge

Vince Samano: 18 Pts (1) 

TRS 17 Pts (0)

Ramon Malpica: 17 Pts (0)

PPM-Super Bowl

 It is time for the end of the PPM as the Super Bowl concludes the football season!

Last Week: 2-0

Overall: 169-81

Super Bowl

Seattle over New England 24-13