BEREA, Ohio — Thursday was a rollercoaster of a day, with the Cleveland Browns pick-swapping early before making a blockbuster trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars and moving back from the No. 2 pick to, rather than draft two-way player Travis Hunter, select defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5. Friday, the Browns stuck to the theme of defense, and with the No. 33 pick, the Browns selected linebacker Carson Schwesinger out of UCLA.
Schwesinger, the 6'2" 242-pound linebacker, was an Associated Press First Team All-American last season, as well as a 2024 Butkus Award Finalist and 2024 All-Big Ten First Team.
In his four years with the Bruins, Schwesinger played in 38 games with 10 starts, recording 163 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble, most of which came last year.
Starting as a walk-on, Schwesinger worked his way into a reserve role before becoming a starter last season, where he was widely regarded as one of the best linebackers in the nation.
Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook said that while Schwesinger only had one season as a starter, his development and trajectory is something that made the Browns confident in taking him at 33.
"It’s definitely a unique evaluation. It’s really…call it nine full plus games because he didn’t start off the season, but when you have a guy like him who just produces—if you look at the production raw and somewhat more advanced—he was just so productive even in his opportunities," Cook said. "There is potentially even more meat on the bone in terms of his development. We’re excited about that. He’s 22 years old. He’s probably got some room to grow, and there’s obviously still things he can improve at, but ultimately what he did show made us really excited about what he could do for our defense.”
The second-round draft pick was announced by Browns legend and Hall of Famer Joe Thomas in Green Bay.
With Browns general manager Andrew Berry providing an update on Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah's neck injury that ended his season last year, describing it as a "nebulous" situation, Schwesinger provides talent in a room with plenty of need.
Schwesinger joins a linebacker room that consists of Owusu-Koramoah, Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Jordan Hicks, Winston Reid, Nathaniel Watson, Marcus Haynes and Jerome Baker.
After being selected by the Browns, Schwesinger said he was ready to come in and work in whatever role was asked of him, looking to give this team his all.
"I think for me, I'm always looking to take the next step and try to find any small way that I can improve any big way that I can improve and that's exactly the mentality that I'm taking into this next stage. And regardless of where I start, my goal is to get better each day," Schwesinger said. "And eventually, when you're willing to show up and outwork everybody else it's going to lead to success and that's the mentality I'm continuing to take with me."
The Browns didn't have long before they were on the clock again, set to select one more time in the second round with the No. 36 overall pick. They're set to pick two more times Friday night with the No. 67 and 94 picks in the third round.
Remaining Browns draft picks
- Round 1- No. 5 overall (From Jacksonville): DT Mason Graham
- Round 2- No. 33 overall: LB Carson Schwesinger
- Round 2- No. 36 overall (From Jacksonville)
- Round 3- No. 67 overall
- Round 3- No. 94 overall
- Round 4- No. 126 overall (From Jacksonville)
- Round 5- No.166 overall
- Round 6- No. 192 overall
