Schefter: 'Sense' Is Browns Want Cam Ward Amid Titans, NFL Draft Rumors

The Cleveland Browns may need to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft in order to get their preferred quarterback.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Thursday on Get Up that "when you talk to people around the league, the sense is that Cleveland would like Cam Ward."

Schefter continued: "I think Cam Ward's going to be the No. 1 pick. Unless Cleveland trades up to one, I don't think it's going to get Cam Ward."

The Browns are currently set to select behind the Tennessee Titans with the No. 2 pick of the upcoming draft.

This isn't the first time the Browns have been tied to Ward. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after meeting with Ward at the NFL scouting combine he was "very impressed" by the former Miami quarterback, and tight end David Njoku recently posted a video of himself with Ward.

If the Titans ultimately stick with the No. 1 pick and take Ward, Schefter believes the Browns will target a non-quarterback such as edge rusher Abdul Carter or cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

After announcing a plan to give Will Levis competition for the QB1 spot next season and then spending the first two weeks of free agency building out their offensive line, it would make sense for the Titans to target a quarterback early in the upcoming draft.

The Athletic's Joe Rexrode additionally recently reported that the Titans "grew enamored" of Ward while listening to him discuss his college game film in a pre-draft meeting.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department accordingly has Ward going at No. 1 to the Titans in their latest mock. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, 83 percent of mock drafts currently make the same prediction.

No team has ever traded a No. 2 pick for the top pick of the same draft. Pro Football Reference's draft pick value chart indicates the Browns would owe only need to give up about one second-round pick alongside the No. 2 selection in order to move up to the top of the draft.

Given the spike in value regarding trading up for quarterbacks and Tennessee's reported interest in Ward, that move could end up costing more for Cleveland were the Titans willing to consider it.