Berry Strikes Again-Browns trade down, take Mason Graham

  Andrew Berry's questionable draft strategy has struck again. Berry decided to trade down rather than take one of the two elite talents in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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!

Cleveland Browns: Persons of Interest- The Offense

    The Cleveland Browns have the second overall selection in Thursday's NFL Draft, and the one mantra that I have followed from the end of the season is this: No quarterback with their first rounder.

I could be talked into picking Cam Ward if available, but no one else because I am not a fan of this crop of quarterbacks with a top two pick, and I think grabbing an overvalued quarterback for the sake of "taking a big swing" and passing over a potential impact player is short-sighted.

If the Browns decide to try to trade into the first round (price depending) or take a quarterback with their second-round pick at number thirty-three (the first pick in the round), I would be okay with it, if not overjoyed.

I would like the Browns to leave this draft with at least one quarterback, if not two, even if both would be picked on the final day.

The crop of players mentioned as a trade-up first-round pick, or second-round rounder would be somewhat acceptable, including Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, or Jakson Dart of Ole Miss.

Tyler Shough of Louisville is the hot name, but he is already twenty-six. Jalen Milroe of Alabama is a toolsy player who needs development, but he could cost the Browns their second rounder.

I like Quinn Ewers of Texas more than most. Will Howard of Ohio State might not be a starter, but he is the type that makes the league as a backup for ten years, and Syracuse's Kyle McCord has the tools to develop if a team has the time to work with him.

The Browns require a running back to replace the departed Nick Chubb, and I'm not a believer in Jerome Ford as their number one back.

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is my favorite back, but he'll be long gone by the Browns' second-round choice.

I love each of the Ohio State running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, but it could take the second-round choice to land either, and the Browns may not be willing to invest that high in a running back.

Henderson is the faster and more explosive of the duo, Judkins the steadier and more powerful of the pair; either would be a great addition for Cleveland.

North Carolina's Omarion Hampton could be gone before the Browns second rounder, but several backs could be available in round three who could be starting backs for the Browns.

Power running Cam Skattebo of Arizona State would be a sledgehammer between the tackles and an asset in the passing game, and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson could step in as an immediate starter.

Texas's Jordon Blue and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson are home run hitters with elite speed out of the backfield, should the Browns want to add a speedier threat, but both may not be capable of carrying a heavy load.

Kansas's Devin Neal, Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, Oregon's Jordan James, and Texas Tech's Taji Brooks were all productive college backs who could do the same in the NFL and will be available on day three.

Colorado's Travis Hunter, the Heisman winner, is not only the best wide receiver in the draft, but also the best cornerback.

Hunter would be the type of playmaker that the Browns have lacked since their 1999 return, other than the comet-like run of Josh Gordon, and after playing on both sides of the ball at Colorado, Hunter could have an impact in Cleveland in the same manner.

Unless the Browns trade down, Travis Hunter would be my choice as the Browns selection with their first rounder.

In the unlikely event of a tradedown, Tetiroa McMillan of Arizona is the best receiver outside of Hunter, Matthew Golden of Texas would bring a deep threat aspect, and I think highly of Luther Burden of Missouri.

Emeka Egbuka lacks deep speed, but he catches everything, and coming out of the Ohio State system, he would be a plug-and-play receiver.

Iowa State's Jaylin Noel is a big-play receiver, and TCU's Jack Bech might be a player who slides a bit due to his workout numbers, only to surprise in the league.

Other interesting prospects: Oregon's Tez Johnson, Ole Miss's Andrew Watkins, and Central Florida's Kobe Hudson.

Cleveland needs a young tight end with David Njoku leaping in salary (from eleven to twenty-four million for 2026), and several who could be helpful on day two after the top tight end, Penn State's Tyler Warren, is expected to be gone.

Michigan's Colton Loveland could be a late first-rounder, but three tight ends could be available early in the third round whom I like.

LSU's Mason Taylor is more likely to go in the second round, but his ball-catching skills on an athletic 6'5 frame could make him a standout in the NFL.

The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason needs to improve in his blocking but otherwise could make an impact on the right team.

Miami's Elijah Arroyo missed close to two seasons due to injury, but when Arroyo was healthy in 2024, he showed elite-level skills.

Bowling Green's Harold Fannin dominated the MAC but played well in games against Texas A&M and Penn State, so he won't be a player who will be awed by the leap in competition from the Group of Five level.

In the later rounds, Iowa's Luke Lachey has appeal as Iowa has been a program that consistently lands tight ends in the NFL.

The Browns could address the offensive line as soon as the second round.

First round bust Jedrick Wills was allowed to leave in free agency, Dawand Jones is coming off a knee injury, and Jack Conklin, while productive has suffered injury problems in the past.

There isn't a standout tackle in this draft but several that could be first round picks and should one of this group survive to the Browns second round pick, that player could be a Brown.

LSU's Luke Campbell, Missouri's Armand Membou, Texas's Kelvin Banks, Ohio State's Josh Simmons, Oregon's Josh Conerly, and Minnesota's Alreontae Ersery comprise a group that any player that falls out of the first round could have a chance to start.

A day three sleeper might be Wisconsin's 6'7 Jack Nelson, who may need time to develop but on size and strength is worth a flyer.

The Browns also have issues at guard with Joel Bitonio unlikely to play after next season ,Wyatt Teller possibly making too much money (almost twenty million) to return for 2026 without a re-structuring, and 2024 third rounder Zac Zinter looked overwhelmed in his rookie season.

Ohio State's Donovan Jackson is my top guard in the draft and as he showed last season, Jackson could move to tackle when needed.

Alabama's Tyler Booker might be the pick of others as the guard and North Dakota State's Grey Zabel really impressed me at the Senior Bowl.

The Browns seem to be safe at center with veteran Ethan Pocic backed up by Luke Wypler.

I'm all in on Travis Hunter as the Browns first round choice and this team needs playmakers as other than Jerry Jeudy and maybe on his best day David Njoku, they don't have anyone that teams fear.

Next time, we will look at players of interest on the defensive side of the ball.