Cleveland Browns take a big risk on their quarterback of the future in the latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Cleveland Browns have landed on their next offensive coordinator which was an important box to check off for the team.

With Tommy Rees set to work with Kevin Stefanski rebuilding the offense, one problem still remains. The Browns need a quarterback and they don’t currently have one.

Cleveland has a couple of avenues they can travel to try to find their next quarterback, which has seemed impossible for the franchise to do in the last couple of decades. In the latest mock draft from here at A to Z Sports, Ian Valentino has the Browns taking a gamble that they might have to let roll.

Cleveland Browns select Miami QB Cameron Ward at No. 2 overall

“Cameron Ward is risky, and how he compares to Deshaun Watson as a freelancer is concerning, but maybe Ward will get closer to Jordan Love than Watson, and the latter has been very good in Green Bay's scheme. Ward is a terrific athlete with the physical tools to be a superstar. His decision-making needs work, but I can also appreciate his gusto. Cleveland needs to make a swing here as they continue to search for a franchise QB.” — Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports

What the Titans do with the No. 1 pick is going to ultimately control what the Browns do with the second pick. Both teams need a quarterback, but that doesn’t mean they are going to select one. Taking one just out of need even if you aren’t sold on the player is a recipe for disaster. Which, is why the Browns have to be really sold on Ward working out with them to make this pick.

Ward was one of the most exciting players in college football in 2024. He can make things happen off schedule unlike many can and that showed. However, as Ian mentioned, the off-schedule stuff hasn’t worked with the Browns. It is also hard to translate that into the NFL.

As a senior at Miami, Ward threw for 39 touchdowns and 4,313 yards in 13 games. The interceptions were not an issue with just seven in 2024 with the Canes.

Ward is a risk of a pick that the Browns may have to end up taking depending on how everything shakes out. The draft is nearly 100 days away still, so a lot can happen between now and then.