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On Tuesday, 2025 NFL Draft edge-rushing prospects’ draft stock improved. They have Browns general manager Andrew Berry to thank.
According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, the sixth-year lead Browns executive emphasized that Cleveland won’t trade four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett during the offseason, no matter the price.
“#Browns GM Andrew Berry says he won’t trade Myles Garrett, not even for two 1st round picks,” Cabot wrote on social media.
Garrett had 14 sacks this season, his seventh consecutive double-digit sack season. He also led the league in tackles for loss (22).
Garrett would make a significant difference on a contending team. While Cleveland’s steadfast position has pros and cons, it’s a significant boon to this year’s class of NFL Draft edge-defenders, including top-five talent Abdul Carter.
Per the most recent big board updates from Pro Football Focus, ESPN, Tankathon, The 33rd Team and CBS Sports, Carter is a consensus top-four player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In 2024, Carter, who played at Penn State from 2022-24, led the Big Ten with 24 tackles for loss. He also had 12 sacks and was one of three defenders to be a unanimous consensus All-American (Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham).
With Garrett off the table, Carter will become an even more valuable draft commodity, as will his draftmates, including Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Georgia’s Mykel Williams and Marshall’s Mike Green.
On Monday, the Raiders seemingly took another potential edge trade target off the market when recently hired general manager John Spytek spoke glowingly of Maxx Crosby, the subject of trade speculation at the end of the regular season. (h/t ESPN NFL reporter Jenna Laine)
In 12 games in 2024, Crosby had 7.5 sacks. Since being drafted in 2019, his 59.5 sacks are tied with Texans edge Danielle Hunter for the league’s fifth-most. (h/t Stathead)
Cleveland and Las Vegas’ remarks on their star 4-3 defensive ends illustrate how significant the position is to NFL rosters.
Both teams have serious questions to answer this offseason, the most pressing at quarterback. After the two franchises won seven games combined in 2024, neither appears close to winning a Super Bowl.
Garrett and Crosby could net both teams enormous value as they attempt to build sustained AFC contenders, but both could also be cornerstones of a quick rebuild.
The 2025 free-agent class lacks the top-end talent of 2024’s class, which included Hunter and Jonathan Greenard. The draft could be the best avenue for teams needing an edge-rusher to acquire a difference-maker at the position.
If you need proof of how important finding one is, simply look at Las Vegas and Cleveland’s approach with their stars.
