Look, the Cleveland Browns are in a weird spot. Again. After a 5-12 finish in 2025 and Kevin Stefanski getting the axe, the "Dawg Pound" is basically a mix of exhaustion and desperate hope. But honestly? The 2026 offseason is actually the most leverage Andrew Berry has had in years.
Thanks to that 2025 draft-day trade with Jacksonville—where the Browns moved down from No. 2 to No. 5 to grab DT Mason Graham—Cleveland is sitting on two picks in the top 25. They own their own No. 6 overall selection and the Jaguars' No. 24 pick.
Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback. It’s the elephant in the room that’s also eating the salary cap. Deshaun Watson’s contract is a $80.7 million hurricane hitting the 2026 books. While Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are already in the building, neither lit the world on fire as rookies. This cleveland browns mock draft 2026 is about more than just a signal-caller; it’s about fixing an offensive line that’s aging out and finding a true WR1 if Jerry Jeudy walks.
Round 1, Pick 6: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Most mocks have the Browns reaching for another QB here, but let's be real. If you don't protect whoever is under center, it doesn't matter. Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin aren't the long-term answers anymore.
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Mauigoa is a mountain of a man. At 6'3" and 315 pounds, some scouts think he’s a guard, but his tape at Miami shows he can stick at tackle. He’s arguably the best run-blocking tackle in this class. Cleveland needs to get back to being a team that can actually run the ball with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Mauigoa doesn't just block people; he deletes them.
Round 1, Pick 24 (via JAX): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Wait, two tackles? Yeah, basically.
The Browns' offensive line was a disaster last year. If they want to give Shedeur Sanders a real chance to beat out Watson in training camp, they need a wall. Lomu is incredibly athletic and would be a perfect bookend to Mauigoa.
Some might argue for a receiver here, like Denzel Boston from Washington, but the value on the board for a premium blindside protector is too good to pass up at 24. Andrew Berry loves "premium positions," and you don't get more premium than the guys who keep your $230 million investment from getting sacked six times a game.
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Round 2, Pick 38: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If Tyson falls this far, you sprint to the podium.
Jeudy’s future is murky, and while rookie Harold Fannin Jr. was a nice surprise at tight end last year, the Browns lack a "take the top off" threat. Tyson is dynamic. He’s 6'3" but moves like a much smaller, shiftier slot guy. He had some drop issues in 2024, but his ability to create separation is exactly what this stagnant offense needs.
The Deshaun Watson "Bridge" Reality
Here’s what most people get wrong about the cleveland browns mock draft 2026 season: They think the draft pick has to start Day 1.
The reality? Watson is almost certainly going to be on the roster because his dead cap hit is a staggering $131 million. Whether the new head coach—maybe a guy like John Harbaugh, if the rumors hold—wants him or not, he’s likely the "bridge" or the expensive backup.
By focusing this mock on the trenches and playmakers, Cleveland is building a "plug-and-play" roster. If Shedeur Sanders takes a leap in Year 2, great. If not, they’ve built a nest for whoever the next guy is.
Late Round Values to Watch
- Round 3: A developmental EDGE to rotate with Myles Garrett (who just broke the single-season sack record with 23). Someone like R Mason Thomas could be a steal here.
- Round 5: Interior defensive line depth. Mason Graham is a stud, but he needs a rotation partner to keep him fresh.
The Browns have 10 total picks in 2026. That’s a lot of darts to throw at a board. While the cap situation looks like a nightmare, Berry can clear space by restructuring Denzel Ward or kicking the Watson can down the road one last time.
Cleveland isn't as far away as 5-12 looks. They have the defensive cornerstone in Garrett and a ton of draft capital. If they hit on these two first-rounders, the "factory of sadness" might finally close its doors for a while.
Next Steps for Browns Fans:
Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Specifically, watch the 10-yard split times for the top offensive tackles. If Mauigoa or Spencer Fano show elite explosion, the Browns' path at pick No. 6 becomes very clear. You should also monitor the coaching search; a defensive-minded hire might pivot this mock toward someone like safety Caleb Downs if he’s available, though the offensive needs currently feel much more urgent.