One of the main goals for the Cleveland Browns’ upcoming season is to build on their limited but young talent in 2025.
Despite a very disappointing record in 2024, the Browns had some of their younger playmakers step into key roles throughout the season. Players such as Mohamoud Diabate, Isaiah McGuire, and others had increasingly impactful roles for the Browns’ defense, which will be a key factor in the upcoming season.
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The talent pool is limited when looking at Browns players under the age of 25. Without first-round picks in three of the past four drafts, it’s been difficult for GM Andrew Berry to find home-run draft picks. Despite this, Cleveland has drafted or signed hardworking playmakers who have more than earned their playing time.
Now, let’s take a look at the best Cleveland Browns players under the age of 25 who are not rookies:
1. Mohamoud Diabate – 24 years old
Browns LB Mohamoud Diabate
A surprise on this list, Mohamoud Diabate has emerged from an undrafted free agent into a reliable playmaker for the linebacker group and special teams. After returning from a hip injury in Week 6 of 2024, Diabate officially stepped into a starting role, providing consistent playmaking throughout the season.
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Last season, the standout Browns linebacker recorded 70 combined tackles in the 13 games he appeared in, starting 11 of them. Given Diabate’s hard work and determination to make the official roster as an undrafted free agent, his strong season didn’t surprise many inside the Browns building. Despite a breakout year, Diabate will need to prove in training camp that he can be a consistent starter for the Browns’ defense. His past training camp performances suggest he’ll do more than that.
2. Isaiah McGuire – 23 years old
Browns DE Isaiah McGuire
The Browns’ upcoming third-year defensive end has quickly developed into a solidified playmaker for Cleveland. In 2024, McGuire’s role expanded due to the injury of fellow defensive end Alex Wright, allowing him to showcase his talent.
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The second year of McGuire’s NFL career was a tremendous improvement from his non-impactful rookie season. During it, the former fourth-round pick collected 36 tackles and 8 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. Despite only having four career starts, he is expected to play a significant role in the Browns’ 2025 defense.
3. Martin Emerson Jr. – 24 years old
Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr.
There was a time when Martin Emerson Jr. would’ve easily been at the top of this list, but his disappointing 2024 season caused a significant drop. After a very promising rookie year, Emerson has steadily declined—from a 72.5 overall PFF grade to a 47.9 in 2025.
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In the past, Browns fans have seen Emerson take over games with his ball-hawking abilities. One such performance was his two-interception game in the 2023 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns can only hope he returns to the reliable cornerback they once saw with great promise.
4. Alex Wright – 24 years old
Browns DE Alex Wright
One of the more intriguing stories from this group is the potential of 24-year-old defensive end Alex Wright. After a season-ending pectoral tear ended his 2024 campaign, Wright has returned to full health to resume the promising start to his NFL career.
In 2023, Wright had an excellent sophomore campaign with 25 combined tackles and five sacks in 16 games for Cleveland, starting one of them. This was a strong season that Wright will now try to build on as he returns from injury. First, he’ll look to earn back his reps on the defensive line this upcoming season.
5. Ronnie Hickman Jr. – 23 years old
Browns S Ronnie Hickman Jr.
Another underdog story on this list is Browns free safety Ronnie Hickman. After earning a roster spot in 2023, Hickman posted an elite 86.5 overall PFF grade in his four starts on defense. He followed that up with a 77.2 grade in 2024, during which he made five defensive starts.
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Despite limited experience, Hickman is currently projected to be the Browns’ starting free safety in 2025. His hard work on special teams and positive contributions on defense have earned him respect from teammates and coaches. Now 23 years old, Hickman will look to make 2025 his most impactful season yet.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns’ best non-rookie players under the age of 25