Just when Cleveland Browns fans thought the 2025 NFL Draft might mark a new era of stardom, the front office had other plans. With the No. 2 overall pick in hand and two generational Colorado talents on the board — two-way phenom Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders — the Browns opted to trade down.
First came a pre-draft trade with the Houston Texans. Then, they struck a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pick was Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, a top prospect in the trenches but hardly the type of name that gets fans sprinting to the team store. Within minutes, the Dawg Pound’s hopes turned into a social media meltdown.
Browns Fans Outraged After Passing on Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders
An hour before the draft even began, one fan already saw the writing on the wall: “The Browns getting ready to f*** up another edition of the NFL Draft.” And for many, that tweet aged like fine wine — or spoiled milk, depending on your view of Mason Graham.
The Browns getting ready to fuck up another edition of the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/uaIYYY1H19
— Heelbery (@JohnHillbery) April 24, 2025
“OH MY GOSH HE CALLED IT,” one fan replied after Cleveland pulled the trigger on the trade down, handing Hunter to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a big red bow. Another piled on: “Tanking already.”
Disappointment quickly turned to despair. “I’m embarrassed to be a f***ing Browns fan. God forbid we have a superstar player,” tweeted another. That sentiment echoed throughout Browns Twitter, with gems like, “F***ing poverty franchise,” and simply “i hate my life” capturing the collective emotional crash of the night.
i hate my life
— Oscar Garcia (@scarhim1) April 25, 2025
Even fans of rival teams couldn’t resist pushing the dagger in further. “At least you got Flacco back,” joked a Ravens fan, referencing the team’s recent reunion with veteran QB Joe Flacco.
Then came the judgment of the actual pick. “Mason Graham waste of a pick smh,” one fan commented.
Still, not everyone hated it. A few fans, apparently numbed by years of chaos, saw logic in the chaos. “Probably the best move the Browns have done since picking Myles Garrett,” one wrote. Another chimed in: “Great deal for CLE, good for them.” One even dared to call it “the rare smart move.”
Browns fans: “Can’t wait to take a generational talent at #2!”
Andrew Berry after trading it away: pic.twitter.com/UTH2uTUC8X
— Stephen (@Scuba_Steve26) April 24, 2025
“Trading out of Travis Hunter, then drafting Mason Graham is the worst Draft work in NFL history – nice job Andrew Berry and dumba** Browns,” an NFL fan tweeted.
Trading out of Travis Hunter, then drafting Mason Graham is the worst Draft work in NFL history – nice job Andrew Berry and dumbass Browns pic.twitter.com/HLFD20Wuju
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) April 25, 2025
But if Twitter is any reflection of the Browns’ fanbase, Thursday night’s draft wasn’t just a letdown — it was another chapter in the eternal saga of Cleveland heartbreak.
Browns GM Andrew Berry Attempts to Explain Trading Down in NFL Draft
While Browns fans are devastated after passing on a player they believe will make not only an immediate impact, but also a long-term one, Berry is playing the long game.
“By nature, even if you select someone at [No.] two, you’re gonna pass on a good player. For us to be able to add multiple premier prospects over a longer time horizon, we think that will allow us to build a stronger team,” Berry said.
NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe tweeted, “Browns GM Andrew Berry says they felt like trade was right move for organization because of the value. He believes they added blue chip guy in Mason Graham, high pick in sweet spot of draft (2nd round) & extra 1st round pick in what they feel will be stronger draft early.”
Browns GM Andrew Berry says they felt like trade was right move for organization because of the value.
He believes they added blue chip guy in Mason Graham, high pick in sweet spot of draft (2nd round) & extra 1st round pick in what they feel will be stronger draft early. pic.twitter.com/39KKjm8rR3
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 25, 2025
Mere hours before Roger Goodell announced the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland and the Houston Texans agreed to a trade. According to the Texans’ official X account, Houston has traded its fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) and a 2027 fifth-rounder to Cleveland. In return, the Texans receive two sixth-round picks (Nos. 179 and 216 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 255) in this year’s draft.
In-draft, ahead of their long-awaited and coveted No. 2 pick, the Browns traded down three spots to No. 5.
In need of a quarterback — and Cam Ward off the board at No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans — Cleveland passed on Sanders to select Graham. While not a flashy name or position, it was another spot the club desperately needed to address.
Ian Cummings, NFL Draft analyst for Pro Football Sports Network, wrote this in Graham’s scouting report:
“Mason Graham is a well-built interior disruptor with outstanding first-step quickness and good overall athleticism. He lacks prototypical length for the position but makes up for it with quickness, power, and instincts. As a pass rusher, Graham displays elite explosiveness and penetration ability, stressing interior offensive linemen up gaps.”
Time will tell if Cleveland made the right move or if it’ll become fodder for the ages.
