It’s silly season. We all have our favorites. Even if you see that this draft class isn’t stacked from top to bottom at every position, you’re still excited by the absurd capital the Cleveland Browns hold entering Thursday lottery, and you hope they take some of your guys. Above all, you’re hoping they don’t mess it up.

With five of the first picks, the Browns stand to add significant talent to a roster that disappointed by way of record and saw more change from week to week than the weather in the great state of Ohio.

With days quickly becoming mere hours until the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, we have all been mocked to death. The experts have their opinions, which differ on many players. The fans have formed lines in the sand around their guys. We’ve heard from the Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski and Jimmy Haslam. It’s time to stop ignoring the players thoughts surrounding the draft.

With that in mind, I took the liberty of mocking a draft for the players. You might wonder how they would look at this any differently. Read on.

I present the Browns Players Mock Draft.

1.2 Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The players vote for the two-way star considered by most to be the best player in the draft. He can help on offense and defense, adding plenty of flash and substance.

2.33 Mason Taylor, TE LSU

I have to honest here, Colston Loveland was on the board when I took Taylor. I just don’t expect him to be there. He would be the pick if he makes it to 33. Call this the Chief pick, the wing man pick, the FINALLY another TE pick! Adding another dimension to the offense while also providing David Njoku with a legitimate number two behind him. The entire team may weep if this pick is made.

3.67 Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa

Make no mistake, the players want Nick Chubb back in the building. Even if that happens, they recognize talent in this draft and the opportunity to add a stud like Johnson to help get the offense rolling.

3.94 Isaiah Bond WR Texas

The players continue the pattern by selecting another offensive player and the best wide receiver on the board in the speedy Bond. The pick would take some pressure off Hunter and allow him to play a comfortable number of snaps on offense.

4.104 Will Howard QB Ohio State

The players break their “We want weapons!” chant long enough to realize that they need to select a QB to round out the roster. With the top tier of QBs long gone, they happily take the national champion Will Howard. He has size, a nice arm, experience in pressure situations, and will make some fans happy as a Buckeye!

TRADE

With pride beaming from their faces, the Browns players look upon the talent they have amassed and announce a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

ATL receives: picks 179,192,200,216, and 255
CLE ’26 4th round pick

CLE receives: Pick 118
ATL ’26 5th round pick

4.118 Bhayshul Tuten RB Virginia Tech

A cheer goes out as the players select their second running back of the draft in Tuten, who showed his extreme athleticism at the NFL combine. He has speed to burn and is not afraid of contact. He and Johnson would form a more than formidable duo for years to come. Add in Jerome Ford and hopefully Nick Chubb and we could be looking at a fun season. And yes, the players are good with carrying four running backs and pounding the ball.

The players would enter the draft looking for difference makers, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They saw how last season unfolded. They have confidence in their ability to play defense. This would make them happy and motivated and would give the team plenty of fire power in 2025!