Insider names 'the quarterback the Browns covet most' in 2025 NFL Draft

As recently as Thursday, numerous reports indicated that the Cleveland Browns will select Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the second pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

In his latest update, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand shared that he believes Alabama's Jalen Milroe "is the quarterback the Browns covet most in the draft" heading into the night of April 24. 

"I felt Milroe was a 'quarterback of interest' even before the Browns promoted Tommy Rees, Milroe’s coordinator at Alabama, to coordinate (head coach) Kevin Stefanski’s offense in 2025. I believe their interest has only intensified in this draft season," Grossi explained. "Whether they wait until No. 33 to take him, or have to move up into the first round, or trade down in the second round … these are the issues that [general manager Andrew Berry] and his staff will have to study, and get right, in the week before the draft in their 'scenario and strategy planning' sessions."

Milroe’s draft stock was a moving target even before it was learned that he had accepted an invitation to attend the draft. Some understandably assumed the fact that he'll be in Green Bay means people within the league believe it's a lock he'll be a first-round pick. However, subsequent reports suggested it's more likely that Milroe will go off the board in the second round. 

While Milroe was previously linked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, at least one individual who covers that club feels Pittsburgh wouldn't take the signal-caller if he "is sitting there in the third round."

For an article published on Friday, Tim Bielik of the Cleveland Plain Dealer predicted that the Browns will make a trade with the Denver Broncos to move up to the draft's 20th overall pick so that Cleveland can grab Milroe ahead of the Steelers (pick No. 21). The Plain Dealer's Dan Labbe also thinks the Browns could select Milroe and have the raw talent develop as a backup behind veteran Joe Flacco and former Steelers starter Kenny Pickett.

"Milroe does have some mechanical issues to clean up, particularly with his footwork," Bielik noted. "But it’s something that by all indications and reporting that he’s been working diligently on since the end of Alabama’s season."

A plethora of reporters believe Miami's Cam Ward, Sanders and Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart will all be drafted before a team takes Milroe. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Dane Brugler had the Browns selecting Dart over Milroe at pick No. 33. Brugler thinks the New York Giants will be able to draft Milroe with the 34th overall choice.