CLEVELAND (AP/WJW) – The final day of the NFL Draft has wrapped up for the Cleveland Browns.
In a last-minute Round 5 trade-up, the Browns selected the Colorado quarterback and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the NFL draft on Saturday. That ended a stunning fall for Sanders, the most recognizable player in this draft class after his attention-getting college career.
FILE – Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders takes part in passing drills during Colorado’s NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
FILE – Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Fans attend the third day of the NFL football draft, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Draft forecasts generally rated Sanders behind only Miami’s Cam Ward — who went first overall to the Tennessee Titans — among quarterbacks in this class. Five quarterbacks were taken before him instead, with one of them going to Cleveland when the Browns picked Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the third round.
Earlier Saturday, the Browns selected Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson with their 126th overall pick. According to the Browns, Sampson spent three years at Tennessee and played in 35 games. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and earned second team All-American honors.
ATHENS, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 16: Dylan Sampson #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with teammates after running the ball for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Browns made four picks Friday night, including some with ties to Ohio, during Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft.
Starting off Round 2, the Browns drafted UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. He was the 33rd pick overall.
According to the Browns, Schwesinger played three seasons at UCLA, appearing in 38 games with 163 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 17: Carson Schwesinger #49 of the UCLA Bruins walks off the field during UCLA Bruins Pro Day at Spaulding Field at Wasserman Football Center on March 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
A few picks later, the Browns drafted Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins. He was the 36th pick overall.
Judkins transferred to Ohio State from Ole Miss in 2024. Last season, he recorded 194 carries for 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, the Browns reported.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a big gain against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
In Round 3, the Browns drafted Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a Canton native, as the 67th overall pick.
MOBILE, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 26: Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. #0 of the Bowling Green Falcons prior to their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 26, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Harold Fannin Jr.
The Browns ended the night by drafting University of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the 94th overall pick.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Browns kicked off Round 1 by trading their second overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Among other picks in the deal, the Browns received the fifth overall pick and decided to draft University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. It was the team’s first Round 1 pick since 2021.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – APRIL 24: Defensive Tackle Mason Graham of Michigan poses after being selected fifth overall pick by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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The Browns just recently signed veteran free agent Joe Flacco to a one-year deal and Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles, but comments from Jimmy Haslam last month suggested the team was drafting for a quarterback.
The team also went into the draft needing a running back, left tackle, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive tackle.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
