The Cleveland Browns are in the thick of a pivotal offseason - still searching for a new head coach and staring down some big-time decisions at quarterback with Deshaun Watson’s uncertain status and Shedeur Sanders looming as a potential option. But amid all that uncertainty, one thing is clear: this team absolutely nailed the 2025 NFL Draft.
While the Browns figure out who’ll be wearing the headset on the sidelines next season, any coach paying attention should be circling Cleveland on their interview list - because few teams in the league got more immediate impact from their rookie class. ESPN recently ranked the Browns’ 2025 draft haul as the second-best in the league, and honestly, there’s a strong case they should’ve taken the top spot.
And it’s not just ESPN giving Cleveland’s rookies their flowers. Dane Brugler, one of the most respected draft analysts in the game, named three Browns to his 2025 All-Rookie Team for The Athletic.
Two of those names were obvious. One was a bit of a surprise.
And one notable rookie - arguably unfairly - was left off the list altogether.
Let’s break it down.
Star: LB Carson Schwesinger
This was a layup. Schwesinger didn’t just have a good rookie year - he put up numbers that put him in rare company.
He was the only player in the league this season with at least 150 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. And he did it while gutting through injuries late in the year, even sitting out the finale to heal up.
Off-ball linebackers don’t usually win Defensive Rookie of the Year - in fact, the last one to do it was Luke Kuechly in 2012. But Schwesinger has a real shot to end that drought.
His instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, and ability to impact every phase of the game made him a force from Week 1. Even Bears head coach Ben Johnson, ahead of their Week 15 matchup, compared him to Kuechly.
That’s not a throwaway compliment.
If the Browns are building their defense around anyone not named Myles Garrett, Schwesinger’s the guy.
Star: TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin turned heads all season, and not just because he was productive - he was the guy in Cleveland’s passing game. Despite missing the final game and a half with a groin injury, he still led the team in receptions, yards, touchdowns, and targets. In a tight end class that was stacked with talent, Fannin stood out.
He racked up 30 receptions that went for 10+ yards and forced 22 missed tackles, according to Brugler. That’s elite-level stuff for a rookie tight end - or any tight end, really. He earned a starting spot on the All-Rookie Team alongside Colts TE Tyler Warren, edging out other standouts like Colston Loveland in the process.
Cleveland may have found a cornerstone piece in Fannin - a tight end who can stretch the field, break tackles, and be a reliable target in the red zone. That’s a quarterback’s best friend, no matter who’s under center next year.
Snub: RB Quinshon Judkins
This one stings a bit. Judkins was well on his way to a 1,000-yard season before the wheels came off late in the year. He was leading all rookie rushers before Week 14, but a combination of a deteriorating offensive line and a brutal leg injury in Week 16 derailed his campaign.
Even with those setbacks, Judkins still finished with 827 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns in just over 13 games. That’s impressive production, especially considering the circumstances.
He didn’t make Brugler’s All-Rookie Team, instead landing as an honorable mention behind Patriots back TreVeyon Henderson and top draft pick Ashton Jeanty. Both had solid seasons, but Judkins’ omission feels more like a product of bad timing and bad luck than anything else.
If he bounces back healthy next year, he’s got all the tools to be a lead back in this league - and a big part of Cleveland’s offensive identity moving forward.
Star: DT Mason Graham
This one might’ve flown under the radar nationally, but Browns fans saw it coming. Graham, the No. 5 overall pick, didn’t explode out of the gate - he had to adjust to a new role as an interior pass rusher - but once he got his footing, he became a problem for opposing quarterbacks.
Over the final nine games, Graham turned it on, finishing second on the team in total QB pressures behind only Myles Garrett. That’s no small feat, especially for a rookie defensive tackle. He logged 765 snaps, per PFF, and showed the kind of growth you want to see from a top-five pick.
He’s not just a space-eater - he’s a disruptor. And if his second half of the season is any indication, the Browns have a rising star in the middle of their defensive line.
Big Picture
For all the talk about Cleveland’s quarterback situation and coaching search, this rookie class is the real story. The Browns didn’t just draft for the future - they found guys who can play, right now, and help shape the identity of this team moving forward.
Schwesinger looks like a franchise linebacker. Fannin is already a top target in the passing game.
Graham is growing into a force on the defensive front. And even though Judkins didn’t get the recognition he probably deserved, his upside remains sky-high.
Whoever takes over as the Browns’ next head coach won’t be starting from scratch. They’ll be inheriting a young core that’s already producing - and hungry for more.