The Cleveland Browns are staring at a draft board that actually matters for once. I’m not talking about the mid-round flyers or the "depth pieces" that usually populate the back end of the roster. We are talking about two first-round picks in the top 25. That’s a luxury this franchise hasn't sniffed in years, especially after the Deshaun Watson trade cleared out the cupboards for what felt like an eternity.
Honestly, 2025 was a brutal 5-12 slog. But there’s a silver lining that makes the cleveland browns nfl draft conversation spicy this January. Because of a savvy move by Andrew Berry last year—trading the No. 2 overall pick to Jacksonville—the Browns aren't just sitting at No. 6. They also own the Jaguars' pick at No. 24.
That is massive capital.
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The fan base is exhausted, obviously. Kevin Stefanski is out after six seasons, and the team is currently hunting for a new head coach who can actually make sense of a quarterback room that looks like a chaotic science experiment. You’ve got Shedeur Sanders, who looked decent but inconsistent after being thrust into the starting role. You’ve got Dillon Gabriel. And then there’s Deshaun Watson, still looming on the roster while rehabbing that second Achilles tear.
It’s a mess. But the draft is where the cleanup starts.
The Carnell Tate vs. Jordyn Tyson Debate
If you spend five minutes on Browns Twitter (or whatever we're calling it this week), you'll see the same names: Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson. Fans are desperate for a legitimate WR1. Jerry Jeudy hasn't been the alpha everyone hoped for, and while rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was a revelation—leading the team with 72 catches—you can't build a modern offense without a vertical threat on the outside.
Carnell Tate is the "factory" pick. He’s out of Ohio State, and we all know that school basically prints NFL receivers at this point. He’s smooth, he wins in the middle, and he has that Pro Bowl ceiling that makes scouts drool. On the other hand, Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State is the red-zone monster. He’s big, physical, and exactly the kind of target a young QB like Shedeur Sanders needs when the play breaks down.
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The nightmare scenario? Both are gone by pick No. 6.
It could happen. Utah tackle Spencer Fano is a name to watch at the very top of the draft, and if he goes early, a run on receivers could leave Cleveland holding the bag. If Tate and Tyson are off the board, do the Browns pivot to the offensive line?
They probably have to.
Rebuilding the Wall: The Offensive Line Problem
Andrew Berry has basically admitted that the offensive line is going to look completely different in 2026. Look at the names: Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller aren't getting younger, and the injury bug absolutely decimated the front five last year. Ethan Pocic and Dawand Jones finished the season on IR.
Basically, the Browns need a "plug-and-play" tackle.
Francis Mauigoa out of Miami is the name linked to Cleveland if they miss out on the top-tier receivers. He’s a mountain of a man who can play tackle or slide inside to guard. If the Browns want to protect their investment in Sanders—or whoever is under center—Mauigoa is the "boring" pick that actually wins games.
Then there’s Monroe Freeling from Georgia. If he’s there at No. 24, it’s a no-brainer. He’s 6-foot-7, 318 pounds, and moves like a much smaller man. Pairing a guy like Mauigoa at No. 6 with a receiver like KC Concepcion at No. 24 would be a dream haul.
What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Situation
There is a loud contingent of fans screaming for a quarterback at No. 6. "Take Fernando Mendoza!" they say. Or "Dante Moore is the savior!"
But let’s be real for a second.
Andrew Berry just spent a third-round pick on Dillon Gabriel and a fifth on Shedeur Sanders last year. Shedeur went 3-4 as a starter. While his 10 interceptions were ugly, he didn't have much help. If you draft another quarterback in the top 10 now, you are essentially admitting that last year’s draft was a total failure.
Berry usually doesn't do that. He’s an analytics guy who believes in "process." The process right now says: build the environment first. Get the tackles. Get the receivers. If Sanders still stinks by mid-2026, then you go hunting for the "big" QB in 2027.
Plus, there’s the Trinidad Chambliss factor. The Ole Miss kid is rising fast. If he’s available in the second or third round, that’s where the Browns might take another "swing" without lighting their first-round capital on fire.
The Strategy for the 2026 Cleveland Browns NFL Draft
The Browns enter this draft with 10 total picks. That is a lot of ammunition for a team that is technically "rebuilding" but has an All-Pro like Myles Garrett (who just had a 23-sack season) in his prime. You can't waste another year of Garrett's greatness by "seeing what happens."
Here is how the draft needs to shake out for this to be a success:
- Round 1 (No. 6): Take the best receiver available (Tate/Tyson). If they are gone, take Francis Mauigoa. No exceptions. No trading down unless someone offers a king's ransom.
- Round 1 (No. 24): This is the "best player available" slot. If a top tackle like Monroe Freeling falls, you grab him. If KC Concepcion is there to bolster the slot, you take him.
- Round 2 (No. 39): Double up on offense. If you went tackle early, go receiver here (Germie Bernard is a name to circle).
- Late Rounds: Look for depth at safety. With Stone’s contract expiring and the secondary aging, finding a developmental ball-hawk in the fourth or fifth round is a must.
This cleveland browns nfl draft isn't just about adding talent; it's about defining an identity for a post-Stefanski era. The new coach—whoever that ends up being—needs a clean slate and a functional offensive line.
The most important thing to remember is that the "Jaguars pick" at 24 is the house money. It allows Berry to be aggressive. He could even package 24 and some later picks to move back up into the top 10 if there’s a player they absolutely love.
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Actionable Next Steps for Browns Fans
Stop looking at the 2025 stats; they're dead and buried. Instead, keep a close eye on the medical reports for Dawand Jones and Ethan Pocic as we head toward April. Their recovery timelines will dictate whether the Browns go "Offensive Line" with both first-rounders or if they can afford to splurge on a playmaker at No. 6. Also, track the Senior Ball performances of the mid-tier quarterbacks like Trinidad Chambliss—if he dominates, it might push more talent down to Cleveland at the sixth spot.