The Browns had one of the most memorable draft weekends of all time, seemingly raising the bar of “crazy” every day. Hear how the weekend went down and what BIGPLAY’s personalities have to say about it!

On Night 1 of the Draft, BIGPLAY live streamed from Pure AV in Akron, as Josh Cribbs, Matt Fontana, Max Loeb, and The BIG Factor crew heavily awaited the Browns' #2 selection- Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Hunter, the clear top prospect in the draft, was compared to Shohei Ohtani by Browns GM Andrew Berry because of his unique ability to contribute on both sides of the football.

Rumors began to swirl that the Browns may trade down from the #2 selection to acquire more draft picks, a scarcity in the Deshaun Watson era. Ultimately, Berry decided to send the #2 selection to Jacksonville for 1.5, 2.36, and next year’s first-round pick. The Browns used the fifth pick on Mason Graham, a star defensive tackle from Michigan who many credit as the driving force behind the Wolverine defense that won a national title.

Graham was by no means the “sexy” pick, but production rules in the NFL. For more on the Cleveland Browns' first selection, watch last Friday’s episode of the Matt Fontana Show.

On Day #2 of the draft, hype filled the air as the Browns were likely to solve their QB issues while also making two additional major picks: #33 and #36. To the shock of many who thought the Browns were likely to go WR, OT, or RB at pick #33, Andrew Berry selected Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger, a linebacker from UCLA, has a compelling story to root for, as he began his collegiate career as a zero-star walk-on who worked his way to the NFL. Schwesinger is noted for being the best linebacker at blitzing in this class.

The Browns then opted to fill an offensive hole by drafting Ohio State fan-favorite Quinshon Judkins. Judkins was one half of the Buckeyes’ running back duo that ran roughshod over college football. A powerful downhill runner, Judkins will likely see the majority of touches at running back.

Early in the third round, the Browns continued the wave of drafting fan favorites by taking Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. Fannin Jr. was one of the premier tight end prospects of the draft; last season, he led the NCAA in many receiving categories.

With the Browns' second pick in the third round, it became increasingly apparent that the quarterback position would be the next issue addressed. Jalen Milroe (QB #3) came off the board to the Seahawks, two selections ahead of the Browns. To the shock of all and the dismay of most, Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel, the NCAA’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, showed greatness in spurs at all three of his collegiate stops, but hit a new level as Oregon’s QB last season, leading them to an undefeated regular season. However, due to his height (5’11”) and age (24), many fans were surprised that the Browns “reached” for a QB who many thought would be available later in the draft.

While the public court of opinion rang down on the Browns for the Gabriel selection, the team still had to turn its attention to Day 3 of the draft. Continuing the trend of shocking picks, despite taking Judkins at #33, the Browns picked Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson on Day 3. Entering the draft, Sampson’s speed, versatility as a pass catcher, and ability to carry a bellcow load made him one of my favorite running backs in the draft. Judkins' power and deceptive speed mixed with Sampson’s burners should make this one of the most fun running back duos in the NFL for a long, long time.

While the Gabriel selection, trade down, and two running back picks should have made the Browns the story of the weekend, Cleveland was a mere afterthought on the national scale, apart from their ties to the story of the weekend: Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders, the one-time consensus first-round pick and #1 player on Mel Kiper’s draft board, not just fell out of round one of the draft, but entirely out of Day 2 as well. The internet was set ablaze as the controversial QB fell further and further down the draft, until rumors circulated that the Philadelphia Eagles may select him at #146.

It wouldn’t be Cleveland if we didn’t take the home run swing, and luckily, someone in the war room remembered that. Despite taking a QB the day prior, Cleveland traded up ahead of Philly and selected Sanders with the #144 pick in the draft. Shedeur Sanders, who at one point in time was thought to only be available at #2 overall, fell to the Browns on the third day of the draft after SIX other QBs were selected.

The Browns walked away from the weekend with Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin Jr., and Shedeur Sanders. Did the Browns take the scenic route to get there? Absolutely. Does it mean a darn thing since they’re all on our roster? No, no, it does not.