The 2024 NFL season is almost upon us which means, hopefully for Cleveland Browns fans, talk of the 2025 NFL draft is less than important. While we will continue to note interesting players from the 2024 college football season, the Browns are focused on living up to their big contracts and, perhaps, fulfilling the prediction of one Hall of Famer.

That doesn’t mean NFL mock drafts won’t be interesting but, primarily, they will help us get to know prospects, like WR Tetairoa McMillan. As the season goes on, the predicted draft order also helps fans predict what might be for Cleveland.

While hopes are high, at least inside Berea, Sports Illustrated’s NFL mock draft predicts doom and gloom for the Browns this season by having them select ninth overall. Despite that, which likely means QB Deshaun Watson either has a terrible season or gets hurt again, SI does not have Cleveland selecting a quarterback:

9. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Browns could be a team in search of a first-round quarterback next year if Deshaun Watson doesn’t show consistency during his third season in Cleveland. But with three quarterbacks already gone in this mock draft, the Browns continue to load up their dominant defense with interior help for edge rusher Myles Garrett. Graham’s strength and relentless motor make him an ideal candidate to take over for veteran defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris.

Interestingly, Colorado’s two-way stud Travis Hunter goes off the board with the next pick.

Last year, the team selecting ninth finished with a 7-10 record which would mean Sports Illustrated is predicting the Browns to be approximately four games worse in 2024 than they were in 2023.

For reference, Bleacher Report has the team selected 17th overall, just outside of the playoffs.

If Cleveland’s season is as bad as predicted here, Graham would not be enough to make the fanbase excited for the future. Despite Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers and Shedeur Sanders off the board, Browns fans will be clamoring for Cam Ward or any other quarterback available at that point.

What do you think of SI’s prediction of where the Browns will be selecting in next year’s draft? How would you feel if a bad season did not lead to a quarterback selection?