Round 1 2026 Draft

Round 1, pick #6: 

Caleb Downs S OSU 

is my first choice. The Giants could pick him at 5, but I expect them to take Jeremiyah Love, if he hasn't gone yet. One thing is for certain...3 of these guys are going to be available when Cleveland picks, because we know that Mendoza, Reese, and Bailey are virtual locks to be selected before the Browns pick. The mocks are all over the place, although there's a *high* likelihood that Fano and Bain should be available at 6. I just saw a mock that has Arvell Reese falling to 6, and while I don't expect that to happen, I suppose I should put in the caveat that if Reese is on the board at 6, he would be my 3rd choice, after Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles.

So,..we need Offensive Line and Wide Receiver. Why am I drafting a defensive player? Because you win with elite talent. I evaluate Downs as a future Hall of Famer, barring catastrophic injury. There are a couple others that I think have a good probability of putting on a gold jacket, but Downs has the best odds. Caleb Downs has the best instincts in this class. Putting him at one of the Safety positions doesn't just strengthen the secondary, it strengthens all 3 levels of your defense, as Downs is very good against the run. Taking Downs doesn't mean you have to move on from Delpit or Hickman, as 3 Safety sets are becoming more common these days, and depth is always needed. We've got a guy with an extremely high football IQ on the defense already in Carson Schwesinger. Imagine a guy in the secondary with the same kind of high football IQ. Your defense goes from very good to exceptional. The Browns have to think outside the box, because "positional value" does not apply with this guy. He will make everyone better.

Sonny Styles LB OSU 

is my 2nd choice, only if Downs is off the board. Obviously, Styles is a physical freak, with the explosiveness and athleticism just jumping off the screen. He has the speed to chase down runners from sideline to sideline, and the coverage skills to effectively defend tight ends and backs catching the ball coming out of the backfield. He's a Swiss Army Knife at the 2nd level of the defense, and like Downs, he's a force multiplier. He'll improve the whole defense, not just the linebacker corps. I also think this guy could be devastating in blitz packages, and will be more successful at rushing the QB than he was at the collegiate level.

Jeremiyah Love RB ND 

is my 3rd choice at pick #6, only if Downs and Styles are no longer on the board. Jeremiyah Love is the most potent offensive weapon in this class, bar none. Remember, we're going for difference makers. Preferably Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers. Barring injury, this guy is a lock. He's the best at running the ball, and he's also the best receiver out of the backfield. In fact, he may be better in open space than at the handoff. Why would I consider him when we have Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson? Well, Judkins suffered a serious injury last year, one that had him still in a walking boot in January, according to reports. There's no guarantee he'll fully recover from the injury, although that is hoped for and expected. Sampson is a complimentary, change-of-pace back, and doesn't really factor into my decision. If you draft Love, you may not need Sampson. Love is a threat to score every time he gets the ball. The offense needs explosive weapons. He's by far the best example of that in the draft. It isn't hard.

Carnell Tate WR OSU 

is my 4th choice at #6. Probably the 2nd best WR prospect in the draft, but the highest floor, and NFL ready from day one. Not a burner, but a great route runner, with exceptional hands and body control. While he might not be the type of receiver that would go at 6 in a better draft, which brings up value questions, Tate is still a bust-proof, elite receiver. I'm not certain that he's a true #1, but if he isn't, he's a high-end #2. And so, despite the glaring need at the position, I don't think the value equates, and the guys I have listed ahead of him are greater difference makers. Remember, you're drafting players for the next 10 years at he top of the draft, not just next season. As for the question of his production reflecting double coverage on Jeremiah Smith? Maybe. We'll see. That's why you have to watch the tape, see his game in action. I think he passes with flying colors. In a world where so many wide receivers are prima donnas and divas, Carnell stands out as a quality human being. He'll never be anything other than an asset to your team.

Rueben Bain ED Miami 

would be my 5th choice at #6. He's very likely to be available, but I don't think I'll have to go this deep in my pecking order. Every year, I always think I'd like to go for an Edge to take some of the pressure off Myles, and give the OC 'pick your poison' kind of choices. Bain is an elite pass rusher who will rack up the sacks at the next level. Forget about the arm length nonsense. He was great first step burst, and is very strong. His rushes generate power. He'll only get better as he improves his technique. In the Browns current situation, he's a bit of a luxury, but we all like luxury don't we?

Spencer Fano OT Utah 

would be my 6th choice at #6. He's incredibly versatile, able to play all positions on the OL, and had great production last year at Utah. He has excellent lateral movement and footwork, uses his hands well, and doesn't have a lot of reasons to be concerned. However, his size is not ideal. He doesn't have the ceiling of a Monroe Freeling, but he has a higher floor than the other OL prospects, and should not be a bust.

Round 1, pick #24: 

Olaivavega Ioane G PSU 

The best OL in the draft, with no real areas of concern. Plug & play, and watch him knock 'em down. Almost as good a prospect as Indianapolis' Guard Quenton Nelson, we would be exceedingly lucky to have him available at 24. He won't be, but I had to include him for the "what if?"

Jordyn Tyson WR ASU 

would be my 2nd choice at #24 if he's available. He won't be either. A couple weeks ago, I wasn't sure about his availability here, but teams are getting over his injury history, and rumors are circulating that he'll be the first receiver off the board. Barring that injury history, Tyson is the best WR 1 prospect in this draft, and would have been in play at 6 for me, were it not for that injury history. He is elite, and a legit 1, but he's been injured every season in college, and had a hamstring injury greatly impact his senior season. I'm just not convinced that that won't follow him to the NFL. Why wouldn't it? The injuries aren't an aberration, they're a pattern. The ceiling is high enough to risk it at 24, but not higher.

Makai Lemon WR USC 

would be my 3rd choice at #24. Tough as a receiver can be. Despite being undersized, he wins contested catches regularly. He can fight his way off the line, or through coverage. Great route runner, and great hands. This guy will be a Pro Bowl player at some point in his career. Will he still be available at 24? We'll see.

Monroe Freeling OT GA 

would be my 4th choice at 24. He's the single player I've seen mocked to the Browns, regardless of draft position. He ticks all the measurables. Great size and solid athleticism for the position. However, he lacks experience and needs a lot of work on technique. That's every rookie though, right? I wouldn't consider this guy at 6, but at 24, he's worth the risk.

Caleb Lomu OT Utah 

would be my 5th choice at 24. Versatile OT with a proven track record of production, excellent movement skills, and he's familiar with the left side. Not a giant, but he could develop into a star at the position. 

 

Jermod McCoy CB TN

My 6th choice at #24. Elite cornerback who should still be here at 24, due to not playing last year because of injury. Watch the tape. Assuming a full recovery, he's the best CB in this draft. Not one of our greatest needs, but they need to replace Martin Emerson, and this guy is better.

David Boston WR Was

My 7th choice at #24. Hard to say with this guy. His ceiling is Mike Evans, but he's not a burner, and he isn't great at separation. Should be able to be developed into a #2, at a minimum.

Browns Draft 2026, Day 1

 The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us. Here's how I would like to see the Browns draft go. First, this draft is considered to be weaker, top to bottom, than most drafts. That doesn't mean there won't be top, top talent coming out of this draft. That doesn't mean that stars won't come out of the later rounds. What it means is the pool of blue chip blue chip talent is smaller than usual, and if you want to select blue chip talent (which you earned by sucking with both lips,) then trading down probably isn't a good idea. If you just want to upgrade your roster, especially at select positions such a Offensive Line and Wide Receiver, you can probably accomplish that and still trade down for more assets. 

Because the Browns are the Browns, I fully expect them to trade down. 

I would not do that. I would grab the top talent available. Therefore, I'm approaching this draft a little bit different than I usually do, and aim for value. However, not value in the sense that I turned my high picks into players who upgrade the roster, but fail to move the needle. No, I'm looking for greatness, and it is out there. 

Also, unlike other years, I intend to do an analysis of Andrew Berry's draft in the days following the draft in Pittsburgh. 

2025 Browns Draft, Rounds 4-7

4th Round, Pick 126  1) Bhayshul Tuten  RB Virginia Tech  2) Damien Martinez  RB Miami  3) Elic Ayomanor  WR Stanford  4) Jackson Slater OG Sacramento St  5) Lathan Ransom  S Ohio St

5th Round, Pick 166  1) Kobe King  ILB Penn St  2) Robert Longerbeam  CB Rutgers  3) Tyler Baron  Edge Miami

6th Round, Pick 192  1) Shemar James  LB Florida  1) Maxen Hook  S Toledo  3) Caleb Ransaw-n  CB Tulane

2025 Browns Draft, Rounds 2 & 3

 2nd round, Pick 33  1) Mike Green Edge Marshall  

We are on the clock, so I'm not going to make any alternate selections here. We'll probably trade out of the pick anyway. Mike Green isn't Abdul Carter, but should be a fine edge rusher to land at this point in the draft. Great bend and burst, with speed that should have him in the backfield on a regular basis. He was very productive last year, and could be a real steal here.

2nd round, Pick 36  1) Quinshon Judkins RB Ohio St  2) TreVeyon Henderson RB Ohio St  3) Luther Burden WR Texas  4) Will Johnson CB Michigan  

I would make sure that we come out of this draft with 2 Running Backs, and I'm going to take my first one here. It had been my intent to draft Omarion Hampton here, if he had fallen this far. He did not. Imo, Hampton is the best RB in the draft, but there are a lot of excellent RB prospects in this draft. I'm deciding between the 2 Ohio St RBs at this point, and Judkins is more of a bell cow. He can tote the rock, loves contact, and is hard to bring down. He's mainly a north-south runner, but he has some elusiveness to go along with that power. Judkins had a great combine, and showed off a high level of athleticism.  Henderson is a greater home run threat, has good speed and excellent hands. He's elusive, with nice start-stop ability, and can be patient and follow blocks. Excellent vision. However he's smaller than Judkins, a little older, and has had some trouble with the injury bug. With the size and speed of NFL defenders, I'm afraid he's going to be spending too much time on the sideline.

Luther Burden is another WR prospect that could have gone in the 1st. Great speed, which he can adjust as needed in the open field. Deep threat, and a top YAC threat.

Will Johnson is a 1st Round talent still sitting here in Round 2. Great size and athleticism for the position, and quick with excellent body control/hip mobility. Just as effective in zone or man. Has some injury history, which is really the only downside.

3rd Round, Pick 67  1) Jalen Milroe QB Alabama  2) Cam Skattebo RB Arizona St  3) Aireontae Ersery OT Minnesota  4)  Jayden Higgins WR Iowa St  5) Ozzy Trapilo OT Boston College  

Yes, Milroe is raw. He reminds me a little of Randall Cunningham when he first came into the league. He will need work, and patience, and drafting him here wouldn't stop me from drafting a top rated quarterback next year if we are in position to do so. However, I like prospects with a big upside, and Milroe's athleticism gives him the best chance of being that guy. His athleticism also raises his floor. He needs to learn improved accuracy, reading defenses, and pocket presence, but no quarterbacks come in as a finished product. 

I'm very happy that the Giants jumped into the late 1st Round and took Jaxson Dart, so the Browns couldn't make that mistake.

Cam Skattebo looks to me like the poor man's Christian McCaffrey. High motor, excellent receiver out of the backfield. Follows blocks well, and will be better than most scouts are expecting.

Aireontae Ersery  Great size and good athleticism for the position. Can develop into a starter.

Jayden Higgins has great size, a quick first step, good speed and separation. Contests 50-50 balls well.

Ozzy Trapilo is another large man with good athleticism for the position who can provide Offensive Line depth.

3rd Round, Pick 94  1) Harold Fannin TE Bowling Green   2) Miles Frazier  OG LSU  3) Marcus Mbow  OG Purdue  4) Demetrius Knight  LB South Carolina

Harold Fannin is an excellent receiver from the Tight End position. Moves well after the catch, and is a serviceable blocker.  He fills a need at this spot in the draft, while providing good value.

Miles Frazier is another large man who can provide needed OL depth. Has played other OL positions as well, so could add versatility.

Marcus Mbow played a lot of OT, but is projected to move inside at the NFL level. Another needed depth piece.

Demetrius Knight does everything reasonably well, and will provide depth in a relatively thin LB room.

Thoughts On The Browns 1st Round Maneuvers

I'm so infuriated at Berry trading out of 2, that I'm afraid a line has been crossed. Berry and Haslam need to be run out of town. The sooner the better. You win with *elite* talent, not just good players or warm bodies. And while Mason Graham is an excellent player, he is not a game changer. The 2 players in the draft that are most likely to be game changers were right there. All you had to do was choose one and turn in the card. This was such a Cleveland Browns move, and that's not a compliment.

Yes, I know Berry is trying to acquire 1st Round picks for next year, in order to have flexibility to make moves next year that will bring in a top quarterback prospect. All that is "if come." We don't have any idea where we'll be drafting next year. Plus, if you want to move up in a quality QB draft, you're going to have to have a partner to trade with that doesn't need a quarterback, and you're going to have to outbid the other teams that are desperate to land their franchise quarterback. So get ready for another 3 years with no first round pick. That all sounds very risky to me, and doesn't justify passing on a generational talent like Hunter. It reeks of the Julio Jones trade, which we apparently learned nothing from.

Browns Draft, Round 1, post 2

 These fucking idiots have traded out of 2. SMH. How does this make any sense? They're currently sitting at 5, and may trade out. If we stay at 5, I guess Mason Graham DT Michigan. JFC.

2025 Browns Draft, Round 1

 Back this year after a hiatus. Just couldn't work up the excitement without a 1st Round pick, but it's probably just as well. My target for the Browns in the 2nd Round in 2024 was Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina, who was a surprise selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 1st Round, and so wouldn't have been on the board when we picked. Likewise, my 2nd Round target in 2023 was Keeanu Benton, DT Wisconsin, who was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd Round. We traded out of the 2nd and didn't make a selection until the 3rd, so another one we had no chance of drafting. So, with that said, let's move on to 2025!

1st Round, Pick 2   1) Travis Hunter WR Colorado 2) Abdul Carter Edge Penn St. I was all in on Carter from the time that we were slotted at #2, until this week. I think our defense would become a monster, with 2 of the top edge rushers in the league, which I see Carter becoming. His comp is Micah Parsons. Not just because he played at Penn St, but because he is a speed rusher with a similar body type, and has already shown the ability to rush the QB at an elite level. I think he's a can't miss prospect who will be selected to many Pro Bowls. Garrett and Carter would put unmatched pressure on the quarterback, and become the gold standard. The NFL is a copycat league, and the success the Browns D would have with that 2 headed monster would inspire many to try to emulate us. I would really love to select Abdul Carter here, but I've come off the pick. Why? Well, Travis Hunter is such a unique talent, and I'm not talking about him being a two-way player. His route running is top notch, his speed and elusiveness is special, but most of all, his feel for the game is almost unmatched. He is a generational talent. Who does he comp to? I can't really say. Can he be as good as Jamar Chase? I think he can. You can't take the chance on passing on this guy. You just can't.