NFL mock draft 2025: Browns finally pick in Round 1, land stud LT

With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, this feels like the right time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. Okay, so it might be considered "way-too-early" to look ahead but that's what we do when we love the draft. And for the Cleveland Browns, there should be more excitement in the future since they're finally going to have a pick in Round 1.

This past draft marked the final time they will be sending any of their selections to the Houston Texans due to the 2022 trade for Deshaun Watson. Adam Schefter tweeted out the final details which don't look great for the Browns at the moment.

That could all change if Watson stays healthy but the fact that we're in year three and still have so many questions is discouraging.

On a brighter note, the front office has built a deep enough roster that they've withstood the loss of their star quarterback. That depth should improve more now that they have all their picks again. Let's now jump ahead and see what they might be able to accomplish with these selections with this three-round 2025 mock.

Browns Round 1 Pick: Kelvin Banks, Jr, OT, Texas

Jedrick Wills is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal and he's been a dissappointment. Injuries have played a part in his struggles but to date, he hasn't looked the way Cleveland hoped when they took him at No. 10 overall in 2020. He was kept around in 2024 and they restructured his deal to open up $10 million but it's hard to see Wills on the roster beyond this year.

Enter Kelvin Banks, Jr. from Texas. One of the top returning tackles this year, Banks has been a fixture at left tackle for the Longhorns since 2022. At 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, he has the size to match up on the left side and won't have to learn a new position the way Wills did.

Browns Round 2 Pick: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

Everyone who follows the Cleveland Browns wants to see Nick Chubb bounce back and be the player he once was. One of the easiest people on the planet to root for, Chubb suffered a torn ACL and MCL that required two separate surgeries to repair. That's why he's not expected back by Week 1 and the Browns protected themselves by signing D'Onta Foreman to help carry the load until he returns.

Once Chubb is back, he's going to be given every opportunity to be the workhorse he was prior to the injury. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be realistic.

There's a chance Chubb doesn't return to form considering this is the second time he tore up the same knee. While he did bounce back better than ever last time, that was also in 2015 when he was still in college. Now, he's 28 years of age and will turn 29 during the season. Anyone who follows the NFL knows that age in itself can be a death sentence for running backs.

That's why the Browns wind up taking Trevor Etienne in Round 2 of this mock. The younger brother of Travis Etienne, Trevor started his career at Florida and had 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons. He's since transferred to Georgia and will be able to assert himself as a future NFL star if he can take the next step in their system.

As a caveat, they can even retain Chubb on a short-term deal and allow Etienne to work in a committee backfield with him. But he's also someone who could handle the full workload if need be.

Browns Round 3 Pick: Nazir Stackhouse, NT, Georgia

In Round 3, the Browns return to Athens for this selection.

Nazir Stackhouse is going to be a redshirt senior after deciding to return for the 2024 campaign. It was a bit of a surprise since he's been the starter at nose tackle for one of the best defenses in the nation but Stackhouse was ready to run it back for another season.

He can still improve his stock but if we're being honest, there's only so high a nose tackle can go. That's why the Browns are able to land him in Round 3 of this mock.

Adding Stackhouse will all but guarantee the end of the line for Siaki Ika, who was taken in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Ika is a massive player but despite his size, he hardly saw the field as a rookie and was pushed around more than expected when he did get a chance. He will be able to prove himself this year but the Browns went heavy at D-tackle in free agency and the draft which does him no favors.

The good news for Cleveland is that Dalvin Tomlinson is still under contract for two more years. That means even if Ika doesn't take the next step, they still have their starter. Adding Stackhouse just gives them a No. 2 nose tackle for 2025 capable of taking over full-time in his second season.

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