Cleveland Browns' Rookie Class Shines Despite Tough Season, Lands No. 2 Spot in League Rankings
The 2025 season didn’t go the way the Cleveland Browns hoped. Five wins, another coaching change looming, and a quarterback situation still very much in flux. But even in a frustrating campaign, there were reasons to believe better days might be coming-and a lot of that optimism centers around a rookie class that hit the ground running.
From first-round picks to undrafted free agents, the Browns leaned heavily on their first-year players this season. And they didn’t just fill out the roster-they made an impact. Offense, defense, special teams-you name it, there was a rookie stepping up.
That group’s performance earned Cleveland a No. 2 ranking in ESPN’s rookie class rankings, just behind the New Orleans Saints. The rankings, compiled by analyst Aaron Schatz, used a blend of advanced metrics and positional value to evaluate the league’s 32 rookie classes. According to Schatz, the top four teams-New Orleans, Cleveland, the New York Giants, and the New England Patriots-stood apart from the rest.
Why the Saints edged out the Browns
So why weren’t the Browns on top? It came down to quarterback and left tackle play-two of the most valuable positions on the field. The Saints got strong rookie seasons from quarterback Tyler Shough and left tackle Kelvin Banks, which gave their class a significant edge in the rankings.
Cleveland, meanwhile, saw stellar production across the board-but the quarterback position actually pulled their score down. The Browns had two rookie quarterbacks see the field, and while their performances weren’t disasters, they weren’t enough to elevate the team or the class in the eyes of the metrics.
The names to know from Cleveland’s rookie class
Still, this was a deep and talented group. Defensive lineman Carson Schwesinger and tackle Mason Graham brought power and disruption up front.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. emerged as a reliable target. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson both flashed explosiveness and vision.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond added a vertical threat, and linebacker Adin Huntington showed he could hang at the pro level.
That’s a list that covers nearly every position group-and it’s not just about depth. These guys weren’t just filling in; they were producing. The kind of production that gives you a foundation to build on.
What comes next for Cleveland
Of course, the big question now is whether this rookie class can be the core of something more. That depends on what the Browns do next-starting with the head coaching hire. Cleveland needs a leader who can develop young talent, especially at quarterback, and create some stability for a franchise that’s been chasing it for years.
The quarterback situation, in particular, will be the key to unlocking this class’s full potential. If one of the rookies can take a leap-or if the Browns make a move to solidify the position-that changes the ceiling for this team.
Because everything else? It’s starting to come together.
This rookie class gave Browns fans something they haven’t had in a while: real, tangible hope. And if the front office can build on that momentum this offseason, Cleveland might finally be ready to turn the corner.