Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry had what appears to have been a career-saving weekend in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Working with a first-round selection for the first time in four years, Berry strengthened the defense with defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger, gave the offense its rushing leader in running back Quinshon Judkins and its receiving leader in tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and provided countless hours of nonsense with quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur
Sanders.
And no one will soon forget the season of rookie kicker Andre Szmyt, who fans were ready to run out of town on a rail after Week 1, but rebounded to get a shoutout from owner Jimmy Haslam in his season-ending news conference.
While the final record wasn’t what the Browns hoped it would be, the rookie class did well enough for two of its members to pocket awards on Tuesday from the Pro Football Writers of America.
Schwesinger took home the big prize as the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, making him the first player in franchise history to achieve the honor from the PWFA:
Schwesinger, the 33rd overall selection in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of UCLA, played in 16 games (all starts) before he was placed on injured reserve prior to the Browns’ final game. He posted 146 tackles (eighth in the NFL), 11 for loss, to go with two interceptions, 2.5 sacks, and three passes defensed. He recorded double-digit tackle totals in seven games, including a streak of six consecutive contests at one point – the longest streak in the NFL in the 2025 season. His seven double-digit tackle games were the most among NFL rookies. He was the only linebacker in the league with at least 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions. His 146 tackles were the most by a Browns rookie since the team’s return in 1999.
Graham, who started all 17 games, was named to the All-Rookie team on defense after a season that saw him finish with 49 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a half-sack, and four quarterback hits. He also grew into being a key member of a defense that finished fourth in the NFL in total defense, and extended its streak of not allowing a 300-yard passer to 45 games, the longest current streak in the NFL.
Despite finishing the season with 72 receptions, a franchise record for rookies and the most for a rookie tight end this season, finishing with 731 receiving yards, the ninth most all-time by a rookie tight end in league history, and catching a team-high six touchdowns, Fannin lost out to Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts for a spot on the All-Rookie offensive team. Warren finished with 76 receptions for 817 yards and four touchdowns, so it had to have been a close vote.
The only other Cleveland rookie who might have had a case would be Judkins, who finished with 827 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and 171 receiving yards while only playing in 14 games. He was beat out at the running back position by TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots (911 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 221 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown) and Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders (975 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 346 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns).
Judkins had a very nice season, which unfortunately was cut short by an injury, but it is probably fair to say that he came in behind Henderson and Jeanty.
Finally, Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints was chosen at the quarterback spot, extending the NFL conspiracy against Sanders, who was blackballed in the draft until the league forced the Browns to select him, was saddled with a coach who “hated him,” was forced into action despite having no first-team reps, and was unfairly not allowed to take snaps in the red zone at times. (We kid! Mostly.)
According to their website, the Pro Football Writers of America has honored an All-Rookie team every season since 1974. Only players who are in their first season of pro football are designated as rookies by the NFL and are eligible for PFWA rookie awards. Players designated as NFL first-year players who have been active in another pro football league or who have NFL experience, including preseason training camp in a previous season, are not eligible for All-Rookie awards.
