The Cleveland Browns hold the golden ticket of the 2025 NFL Draft—the No. 2 overall pick—but their path to revamping a roster in flux is anything but straightforward. With Deshaun Watson’s injury casting doubt on his future and veteran Joe Flacco on a one-year Band-Aid deal, the franchise faces a pivotal choice: chase a franchise quarterback early or build around a bold, unconventional blueprint. One NFL analyst has tossed gasoline on the debate, urging Cleveland to zag while the league zigs.
Mina Kimes’ bombshell blueprint for Cleveland Browns
ESPN’s Mina Kimes sparked waves with a daring strategy for the Browns during a recent NFL Live segment. Instead of using their top pick on a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders (the draft’s second-ranked QB prospect), Kimes doubled down on Cleveland selecting Travis Hunter (Colorado’s two-way phenom) or Abdul Carter (Penn State’s defensive terror) at No. 2.
Her reasoning? “Cleveland needs immediate-impact players, not project QBs,” she argued, suggesting the Browns mine the draft’s later rounds for a developmental signal-caller like Louisville’s Tyler Shough.
“Shough is one of the more pro-ready players in this class,” Kimes said. “Imagine him throwing to Travis Hunter and Jerry Jeudy if Hunter plays receiver. That’s a nightmare for defenses.”
The take is divisive. Hunter, a human highlight reel who starred as both WR and CB at Colorado, offers rare versatility. Carter, a linebacker with Derrick Thomas-level explosiveness, could anchor Cleveland’s defense for a decade. But passing on a top QB prospect—especially with Watson’s $230M contract looking riskier by the day—feels like a gamble.
Why Shough? The case for patience
Shough, a 6’5″ gunslinger with a 68% completion rate at Louisville, isn’t a household name. But scouts praise his pocket poise and quick release—traits that align with coordinator Ken Dorsey’s system. Drafting him in Rounds 3–4 would let Cleveland address glaring needs (WR, pass rush) early while grooming a cost-controlled QB.
The Browns have leaned into this philosophy before. Flacco’s $4M deal is a stopgap, but pairing him with Shough creates a low-risk, high-reward QB room.
“Cleveland needs a developmental prospect who can play immediately if needed,” Mina Kimes emphasized.
The Kirk Cousins Wild Card
Kimes also floated a blockbuster trade option: pursuing Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, who’s entering a contract year. Cousins’ $45M cap hit in 2025 is steep, but his veteran savvy could stabilize the offense while Shough (or another rookie) learns the ropes. For a win-now roster boasting Myles Garrett and Amari Cooper, this “bridge QB” approach might buy time without sacrificing draft capital.
Risks and rewards
Skipping a QB at No. 2 could backfire if Sanders blossoms elsewhere. But Hunter’s ceiling as a Deion Sanders-esque playmaker or Carter’s game-wrecking potential might outweigh those fears. Meanwhile, Shough’s draft stock (projected Round 3–4) offers flexibility.
The Browns’ front office, burned by Watson’s mega-deal, seems wary of another QB gamble. As GM Andrew Berry noted recently:
“Our focus is building a roster that competes immediately while keeping an eye on sustainability.”
Mina Kimes’ strategy isn’t just bold—it’s a referendum on Cleveland’s patience. Drafting Hunter/Carter injects star power, while Shough represents a lottery ticket with manageable risk. In a league obsessed with QB mania, the Browns might just rewrite the playbook.