Can the Browns Select an Ohio State Player With Every Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? Here’s a Path

It’s a fantasy rooted in Ohio pride, one that sounds impossible but carries a fun, chaotic charm: what if the Cleveland Browns used every single pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select players exclusively from Ohio State? No trades to expand the board, no reaching into other programs, just pure, unfiltered Buckeye blood running through every draft card submitted by GM Andrew Berry. Could it happen? And more interestingly—should it?

Let’s dive into the hypothetical, mapping out how the Browns could pull off the ultimate in-state draft and whether that path is paved with reason or wrapped in sentiment.

To start, we have to acknowledge the Browns’ draft capital. As of now, Cleveland holds the following 2025 picks: one pick in the second round, one in the third, a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder, and two sixth-round selections. That gives them six total picks to work with—manageable in size, but a tight needle to thread if you’re limiting your entire draft to just one program, no matter how stacked Ohio State is.

But that’s the magic of this idea: the Buckeyes just might be stacked enough.

Let’s take this step-by-step, slotting realistic Ohio State prospects into each of Cleveland’s draft slots while maintaining a sense of positional balance and roster need.

Round 2: Emeka Egbuka, WR

There’s a chance Egbuka sneaks into the late first round, but if he slides into Day 2, Cleveland should be waiting. The Browns will likely look to upgrade at wide receiver in the near future, and Egbuka offers polish, production, and pro-ready route-running. His chemistry with fellow Ohio State alum C.J. Stroud at the collegiate level is proof he can play alongside elite QB talent, and while the Browns don’t have Stroud, they’ll need a WR who can operate with precision regardless of who’s under center.

Egbuka’s 2024 season was marred by injuries, which could ding his draft stock just enough to keep him available early on Day 2. For the Browns, this is an ideal blend of value and familiarity. A polished route runner with strong hands and YAC potential, Egbuka would slide right into Cleveland’s offense as a complementary option alongside Amari Cooper—or perhaps even his long-term successor.

Round 3: Donovan Jackson, OG

If the Browns continue to invest in the offensive line—and they should, given recent injuries and impending contract decisions—Donovan Jackson makes too much sense. He’s one of the most experienced and technically sound interior linemen in the class, and he brings with him the culture and toughness that the Browns’ front office has long admired.

Jackson started over 30 games at left guard for the Buckeyes and was often tasked with handling the nation’s top defensive tackles in the Big Ten. His ability to anchor in pass protection and pull on run plays gives the Browns options, especially if they want to add depth behind Joel Bitonio or Wyatt Teller, both of whom are getting older and more expensive.

Round 4: Tommy Eichenberg, LB

Linebacker isn’t the most pressing need on Cleveland’s roster, but drafting Eichenberg here checks multiple boxes. He’s a tough, old-school linebacker who could play special teams early while growing into a bigger role down the line. More importantly, he fits the mold of a fourth-round pick who can outplay his draft position.

Eichenberg’s motor, leadership, and ability to diagnose plays are valuable, and his experience as the defensive captain of one of college football’s best defenses shouldn’t be taken lightly. He’s the type of blue-collar player that Ohio fans adore—and the Browns could benefit from that both on the field and in the locker room.

Round 5: Cade Stover, TE

Now we get into the fun part. Cade Stover, a former linebacker-turned-tight end, has become one of the more intriguing mid-round prospects in this class. He’s not an elite athlete, but he has soft hands, plays with physicality, and offers real value in both the passing game and as a blocker.

Cleveland already has David Njoku under contract, but adding Stover to the mix could allow the Browns to run more 12 personnel, giving Deshaun Watson—or whoever ends up taking the reins at quarterback—more flexibility. Stover is also a strong locker room presence and a former team captain. He’s the kind of glue guy who can make an impact even if he never becomes a No. 1 tight end.

Round 6 (Pick 1): Josh Proctor, S

By the time you reach the sixth round, you’re looking for special teams contributors, depth pieces, and upside. Josh Proctor brings all three. A longtime member of the Buckeyes’ secondary, Proctor battled through injuries to deliver a solid final season in 2024, showing flashes of the rangy playmaker many hoped he’d become earlier in his career.

Proctor has the physical tools—size, speed, tackling ability—to make an NFL roster as a depth safety, and he should thrive on special teams. While he’s unlikely to crack the starting lineup early on, his ability to play multiple safety roles gives defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz some versatility in the back end.

Round 6 (Pick 2): Matt Jones, C/OG

If Matt Jones is still available at this point, it’s a no-brainer. The Browns have leaned heavily on versatile offensive linemen in recent years, and Jones brings just that—starting experience at both guard and center at a program known for producing quality O-linemen.

Jones might never be a Pro Bowler, but as a swing interior lineman who can provide immediate depth and compete for a backup role, he fits the bill. With Ethan Pocic entrenched at center and the guard spots potentially shifting soon, Jones adds insurance and upside.

So, there you have it. Six picks, six Buckeyes. From Egbuka to Jones, the Browns could feasibly fill out their entire 2025 draft class with Ohio State players—and not in a gimmicky way, either. Each selection offers a practical mix of talent, fit, and long-term value.

Of course, this all hinges on the availability of these prospects in the appropriate draft range. It’s entirely possible that one or more of the higher-end talents—like Egbuka or Jackson—go off the board before Cleveland gets a chance to pounce. And maybe some of the Day 3 Buckeyes opt to return to school or fall short of draftable grades. But the point here isn’t perfection; it’s plausibility.

It’s a testament to Ohio State’s program strength that this kind of exercise isn’t pure fantasy. The Buckeyes consistently churn out NFL-ready talent across every position group, and in 2025, they’ll once again be one of the most heavily scouted teams in college football. That reality, combined with the Browns’ penchant for hometown flair (see: drafting Denzel Ward, investing in local guys), makes this kind of homegrown draft strategy a fascinating “what-if.”

There’s also a cultural and fan element to this. Browns fans are notoriously loyal and deeply invested in their team—and many are also proud Ohio State supporters. Flooding the roster with Buckeye talent would be more than a PR stunt; it could be a way to re-energize the fanbase while still sticking to a strategy grounded in smart team-building. There’s real appeal in giving fans players they already know, players they’ve already rooted for under the Horseshoe lights.

But would it be too much of a good thing?

NFL teams, including the Browns, pride themselves on finding the best players regardless of school. Sticking rigidly to one program would be an unusual and risky move in the hyper-competitive world of the draft. Even in this mock scenario, we’ve assumed a lot: that the board falls kindly, that injury concerns don’t derail value, that needs and fits align perfectly.

Still, the exercise serves to highlight just how rich Ohio State’s 2025 draft class could be. At nearly every position of need, there’s a Buckeye available in the appropriate range. Whether or not Cleveland drafts one—or several—remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if Berry and his staff dip into Columbus once again.

It may not be six-for-six. It probably won’t be. But if the Browns end up walking away from the 2025 NFL Draft with a roster full of scarlet and gray…well, nobody in Ohio will be mad about it.