The Browns are reportedly ‘leaning towards’ using their No 2 draft pick to select edge rusher Abdul Carter.

Cleveland is looking to rebuild after miserable season which saw them finish 3-14 and lose quarterback Deshaun Watson to an Achilles tear.

They hold the No 2 overall pick and have been linked with a number of standout prospects including ex-Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.

Sanders is among the most coveted quarterbacks in the class of 2025, while two-way star Hunter was predicted by some to be the No 1 overall pick. 

However, according to ESPN, the Browns could instead select former Penn State standout Carter.

‘Abdul Carter right now is the likely pick at No 2… a lot of things change but the way this is shaking out to me, it looks like he’s tracking to be a Brown,’ Adam Schefter said.

The Browns are reportedly ‘leaning towards’ using their No 2 draft pick to select Abdul Carter

‘I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be picked first,’ he said

The Browns have also been linked with the likes of Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter

It comes after shock reports claimed the Browns are negotiating a trade for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. 

Last month, 21-year-old defensive end Carter made clear he believes he should be the No 1 overall pick.

‘I feel like I´m the best player in the country and the best player should be picked first,’ the 6ft 3in, 259-pound star said. 

‘It´s the work I put in with my dad, who trained me, and all the sacrifices I made, I know I’m the best.’

He was the Big Ten’s top defensive player in 2024 and finished his three-year career with 39-and-a-half tackles for loss, 23 sacks and 14 pᴀsses defensed.

Back in January, meanwhile, Watson had a second surgery after tearing his right Achilles tendon again.