BREAKING: Cleveland Browns has landed Nick Chubb’s replacement
Nick Chubb may have more in the tank, but the Cleveland Browns are looking ahead in their three-round 2025 mock draft.
The Cleveland Browns’ first preseason game of the 2024 season is just days away. While everyone is focused on this season, it’s never a bad idea to look ahead.
That’s what we’ve done with this three-round 2025 mock draft, which begins with a pick in Round 1 for the first time since 2021. And with their first pick, they assure that their offensive line remains a strength of the squad.
Round 1: Kelvin Banks, Jr., OT, Texas
Cleveland’s front office appears to have a different perspective on Jedrick Wills than most. While the data reflect a struggling offensive lineman who is particularly poor at run blocking, the Browns continue to run the ball behind him, and this year, no one was brought in to compete for the job.
Unless he magically transforms into Joe Thomas, Cleveland will have to let him leave in 2025. That is why Kelvin Banks, Jr. of Texas gets chosen first. Banks, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 324 pounds, has started the last two seasons at left tackle and may cement his status as one of the class’s top prospects with another great season.
Round 2: Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon
The previous time Cleveland had a first-round pick, it selected Greg Newsome II from Northwestern. He’s been a competent player, particularly in the slot, but he’s struggled with durability and will play his final season in 2025. The Browns might let him play out his contract or see if there’s any interest in a trade.
In any case, it appears doubtful that he will be extended, given that Denzel Ward is already paid, and Martin Emerson, Jr. would also want a new contract. That is why in our mock draft, their second-round choice is Oregon’s Jabbar Muhammad.
Muhammad took a long road to get where he is, spending three years at Oklahoma State and one at Washington. He’s going to be slightly older than most prospects Andrew Berry targets but he has the ability to move into the slot and play the boundary.
Round 3: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
Nick Chubb has demonstrated he is not human by sharing excellent exercise videos while recovering from a damaged ACL and MCL. He’s anticipated to return this season, and while we should believe he’ll put up strong statistics, we must remember that this is the second time he’s blown out his knee. While he recovered the first time, it was nine years ago and he was playing for Georgia.
Now, Chubb is approaching the age when most running backs start to slow down — and that happens to backs with good knees. Chubb will be 29 in December and it’s hard to find any running backs who keep going strong after 30. He’s also set for free agency and if the Browns retain him, it will surely be on a short-term deal.
With that said, the third pick in my mock draft is Trevor Etienne. Trevor Etienne, the younger brother of Travis Etienne of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will attend Chubb’s alma college after beginning his career at Florida. He accumulated 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons. One more good season should be enough for him to declare eligibility, and he would become Cleveland’s starter for the next few years.
