After a disastrous 2024 campaign that saw the Cleveland Browns finish with a 3-14 record, major changes are most likely on the horizon. Just one year removed from an 11-6 season and a playoff berth, Cleveland now has a top-two draft pick. However, the Browns’ struggles are so great that no single pick can save them.
The Browns’ most significant need is the quarterback position, and they will likely pick either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. However, after finishing last in PFSN’s Offense+ metric in 2024, they also need a difference-making receiver. One analyst predicts they will pick Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Browns Predicted To Add Emeka Egbuka in 2025 NFL Draft
Cleveland’s wide receiver room was led by Jerry Jeudy in 2024, who finished with 1,229 receiving yards. However, Elijah Moore had an underwhelming season, failing to eclipse 600 yards, while TE David Njoku dealt with injury issues.
Egbuka could help save their pass-catching group and even act as WR1. That’s why PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft by Ben Rolfe predicts that the Browns will use the No. 33 overall pick on the star receiver.
“Whether you view WR as necessary for the Browns depends on how you feel about Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash. If you feel they can develop into a No. 2 and No. 3 option, perhaps they do not need to spend the 33rd overall pick at wide receiver and could instead look to add talent on the offensive line.
“If a wide receiver is the play, Emeka Egbuka is a good value at the top of the second round. The Ohio State wide receiver boasts elite route running, athleticism, and field awareness. He has the talent and the statistics to back up that talent, so there is no reason to believe he cannot be a starting WR in 2025 and beyond.”
Tillman only managed 339 yards in 2024, while Egbuka crossed the 1,000 mark for Ohio State for the second time in the last three years. He has 24 career touchdowns and is one of the most exciting utility wideouts to hit the circuit in recent years.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Offseason With PFSN’s Offseason Manager
Emeka Egbuka will be such a fun piece schemed up to get the ball in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/90ByURdcGT
— Andy 🏈 (@CUandyy) February 12, 2025
Egbuka’s Scouting Report
Here’s a glimpse at PFSN’s scouting report on Egbuka:
“As an athlete, Egbuka is extremely explosive, fluid, and flexible, with more than enough vertical speed. He can sear and slice his way through zone coverage looks but also has the intentional movement, snappy suddenness, and spatial awareness to win against man coverage.
“Though he isn’t quite as consistent at the catch point, Egbuka has flashed the skills of a fairly instinctive converter with good reaction speed and body control, and he also has an ideal RAC profile with his lean 205-pound frame, explosiveness, and agility.
“Overall, Egbuka has the feel of a solid three-level threat WR with exciting alignment and usage versatility. Coaches can scheme him touches on jet sweeps, swings, drags, screens, and other short routes. But he also has the full route tree and complete skill set to be employed in countless other ways.”
The Browns are also projected to pick Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick. Pairing him with Egbuka could make Cleveland Super Bowl contenders in a few years. However, Cleveland also has to address the problems on its defense after Myles Garrett asked for a trade. If Garrett really leaves they team, they might want to use its No. 33 pick on a defensive player.
