(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

As the Browns inch closer to the start of the 2025 league year next week, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry has kept his focus on the draft class.

The Browns hosted three of the top-ranked prospects in the class on Wednesday: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter as well as quarterbacks Cam Ward (Miami) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado).

With only the Tennessee Titans ahead of the Browns in the draft, Cleveland is casting a narrowed net before the college pro day circuit kicks into high gear. The Browns met with all three prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, where 18-minute, in-person interviews are permitted with up to 45 players in the 2025 draft pool. They also met with Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter, who has said he hopes to remain a wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL.

None of the four prospects worked out with their position group in Indianapolis.

Carter was not even available for a complete battery of official measurements because of his ongoing recovery from an AC joint injury in his shoulder.

The Browns entered the offseason with uncertainty at quarterback. Deshaun Watson had a second Achilles surgery and might not play in 2025. Jameis Winston can become a free agent.

Field Level Media ranks Ward as the clear No. 1 prospect at the position. The Titans also view QB as one area 'we have to get right,' according to first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi.

Defense might become a higher priority for Berry and the Browns if they're backed into a corner by defensive end Myles Garrett. After requesting a trade, Garrett responded to the Browns' statement they would not part with the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate by stating he has no plans to sign a contract extension to stay in Cleveland.

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

--Field Level Media