The Cleveland Browns may have a choice between the consensus two best prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 2 overall if the Tennessee Titans select quarterback Cam Ward at the top. The Browns could be choosing between Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. It'll be an incredibly difficult decision with no right or wrong answer, but Cleveland should lean toward Carter.
Pairing Carter with Myles Garrett could give the Browns the best pass-rushing duo in the league. Garrett recently rescinded a trade request and signed a historical four-year, $160 million extension in Cleveland. Adding Carter to the front seven would give defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz a dynamic duo to plan around.
Building an elite pass-rushing front with depth is all the rage this offseason after that exact strategy helped the Philadelphia Eagles dismantle the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty in Super Bowl LIX. It's a copycat league. If you don't benefit from elite quarterback play, and the Browns won't have that in 2025, then rostering a game-wrecking pass rush is the second-best thing. Carter would complete that vision as an outstanding fit in Schwartz's attacking, aggressive defense.
It's also worth acknowledging that Carter's projection is cleaner than Hunter's. Carter was a blue-chip talent for Penn State after switching from off-ball linebacker to full-time edge rusher. Teams are still sorting through Hunter's ideal positional fit at the next level after the Heisman winner thrived at both cornerback and receiver at Colorado.
The NFL Combine provided the perfect example. While most teams agree Hunter is capable of being a unicorn two-way contributor, the Titans, holders of No. 1 overall, said cornerback might be his best positional fit. Browns general manager, Andrew Berry, disagreed, believing Hunter could start at receiver before corner. League-wide consensus doesn't exist. The Browns are already incredibly deep at cornerback, though they could utilize another high-end receiver to pair with Jerry Jeudy.
The quarterback question will also continue to loom large around Berry's team after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants earlier this week. If they pass on Shedeur Sanders at No. 2 overall to draft Carter or Hunter, what does that mean for Kevin Stefanski's offense? Deshaun Watson is recovering from a second Achilles injury and has possibly taken his final snap in Cleveland.
The most likely solution may be a trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. The latest rumor indicates the veteran QB is waiting until after the 2025 NFL Draft to waive his no-trade clause to ensure he doesn't end up where Ward or Sanders end up, according to Albert Breer. If the Browns go with Carter or Hunter, it wouldn't be surprising if Cousins decides to reunite with Stefanski in Cleveland.
If the Browns ultimately acquire Cousins, the team-building vision for 2025 becomes clearer. Cousins would raise the floor of the quarterback play in Stefanski's offense. Drafting Carter would continue transcending Schwartz's defense. Landing Carter at No. 2 overall makes the Browns a more well-rounded team.
