The Cleveland Browns may not be officially out of the AFC playoff hunt just yet, but Sunday’s loss marked their ninth of the season - and with it, another losing campaign. That makes four in the last five years, and while the postseason door hasn’t slammed shut, it’s barely hanging on the hinges.
Still, there are signs of life in Cleveland, even if they’re not showing up in the win column. And let’s be honest - when you’re 3-9, you start looking for progress in the margins. That’s where this rookie class comes in.
Rookie Production Offers a Glimpse of the Future
One of the few bright spots this season has been the Browns’ 2025 draft haul, which is quietly shaping up to be one of the best in the league. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Cleveland is one of only four teams - along with the Patriots, Jets, and Titans - to give their rookies over 3,000 combined snaps this year.
The difference? The Browns’ rookies are delivering.
Let’s start with the headliners. Running back Quinshon Judkins is leading all NFL rookies in rushing and is on pace for a 1,000-yard season.
That’s not just impressive - it’s remarkable, especially when you consider the chaos around him. Cleveland has started three different quarterbacks this year and cycled through multiple offensive line combinations.
The offense has been one of the league’s least efficient units. And yet, Judkins continues to produce, week in and week out.
That speaks volumes about his vision, toughness, and ability to create something out of nothing.
Then there’s tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a third-round pick who’s emerged as the team’s leading receiver heading into Week 14. Fannin has been a reliable target across the middle and in the red zone, showing chemistry with whoever’s under center - whether it’s been veteran fill-ins or fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders, who’s set to get another start this week.
Sanders, for his part, is still very much in the developmental phase, but he's gaining valuable reps. The Browns aren’t in a position to rush judgment on the quarterback of the future, but every snap Sanders takes now is a chance to evaluate whether he can be part of the long-term plan.
Defense Still Has a Pulse - Thanks to Garrett and the Rookies
Defensively, Myles Garrett continues his push toward a historic milestone. With five games left, he needs four more sacks to break the NFL’s single-season sack record. He’s been a one-man wrecking crew at times, and while the defense hasn’t been dominant overall, Garrett's presence keeps them competitive.
But he’s not doing it alone. First-round pick Mason Graham is starting to flash the disruptive potential that made him the No. 5 overall selection.
He’s beginning to win more consistently at the line of scrimmage, collapsing pockets and forcing quarterbacks off their spots. At linebacker, Carson Schwesinger has already cleared 100 total tackles - a mark that speaks to both his instinct and motor.
He’s been all over the field, anchoring the middle of a defense that’s been asked to do far too much.
Looking Ahead: Draft Capital and Direction
The Browns still have plenty of work to do, especially at quarterback. While teams like New England have found a rising star in Drake Maye - who’s now in the MVP conversation - Cleveland’s future under center remains uncertain. That’s a decision looming large as the team looks to 2026 and beyond.
But here’s the encouraging part: general manager Andrew Berry appears to have nailed the 2025 draft, and he’s armed with plenty of ammunition for the next one. Cleveland currently owns 10 picks in the 2026 draft, including two first-rounders, and at 3-9, they’re in line for another top-five selection.
There’s a big difference between being a bad team and being a bad team with no direction. The Browns, for all their struggles this season, aren’t devoid of hope.
They’ve got young, ascending talent at key positions. They’ve got cap flexibility and draft capital.
And they’ve got a front office that just might be building something real - even if the scoreboard doesn’t show it yet.
So yes, it’s another losing season in Cleveland. But for the first time in a while, it feels like the losses might be laying the foundation for something better.