With two chances to select a quarterback in the first four picks Friday night, the Browns declined twice.
Cleveland kicked off the second night of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger with the 33rd pick and Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins with the 36th pick. The Browns continued to ignore the QB spot in the third round, selecting Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin at No. 67 overall.
Judkins represents the Browns' attempt to bring their running back carousel to a much-needed halt. Cleveland has been cycling through an assortment of runners since Nick Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season, and even after Chubb was able to make it back to play in the 2024 season, the venerated runner struggled to regain the premier form that made him a hero in Cleveland. Once his comeback campaign ended prematurely due to a foot injury, the Browns understood it was time to find a definitive replacement in Judkins, a 2024 transfer from Ole Miss to Ohio State who worked wonderfully in a tandem backfield with TreVeyon Henderson.
The tandem might still be in play as Judkins makes the leap from the national champions to the Browns. Cleveland and Chubb have engaged in dialogue recently and the door to a reunion remains open, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday night.
For now, Judkins fills a clear need in Cleveland's backfield, which also includes occasional big-play artist Jerome Ford.
Judkins, 21, had his most productive season as a freshman at Ole Miss, leading the SEC with 274 rushing attempts for 1,567 yards (seventh in FBS) and 16 touchdowns (10th in FBS). After a second-straight first-team All-SEC selection as a sophomore (1,158 yards, 15 TDs), Judkins opted to transfer to Ohio State, where he willingly split snaps with Henderson.
Despite the shared time, Judkins surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for a third season (194 carries, 1,060 yards, 5.5 yards per carry) and put an exclamation point on his career in the national championship, accounting for three of Ohio State's four touchdowns in the victory. Judkins ran wild to the tune of 11 totes for 100 yards and two touchdowns -- highlighted by a 70-yard score -- and tacked on a receiving TD for good measure.
Built to run tough with his 6-foot, 221-pound frame, Judkins possesses a powerful and aggressive play style and shows a willingness for contact. Next Gen Stats awarded Judkins a 92 athleticism ranking, No. 2 among RBs at this year's combine, and he showed explosiveness off the line with his 1.51 10-yard split.
Where Judkins could improve is in his efficiency, recording lower than 4 yards per carry in six contests in his final year. Paired with his only average speed (4.48 40-yard time), he's unlikely to be a breakaway threat in the NFL ranks.
Nevertheless, Judkins' production and toughness offer the potential to become a successful addition to the Browns' rushing attack.
Schwesinger, meanwhile, might make Browns fans scratch their head with mild confusion. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein gave the UCLA product a second-round grade, but the selection looks more like a pick based on need and available talent at the position, giving the Browns an athletic, instinctive linebacker with versatility Cleveland could certainly use at the second level of their defense.
The selection also suggests a bit of uncertainty regarding rangy linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who suffered a season-ending neck injury in 2024. Both general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski have remained coy regarding Owusu-Koramoah's outlook entering 2025, and while Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook quickly claimed the choice was more about their evaluation of Schwesinger than the status of Owusu-Koramoah on Friday, Cleveland's decision to spend pick No. 33 on Schwesinger signals the Browns are, at minimum, giving themselves multiple options at the position.
Cleveland's decision to pass on a quarterback twice doesn't mean they won't consider the position later in the draft, but as it stands now, they're facing a 2025 season in which Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett could be their starter. A corresponding move at the position -- either during the draft or after -- should not surprise anyone.
