The first day of legal tampering has come and gone at the start of NFL free agency. The league year opens on Wednesday when all reported moves can be made official. For the Cleveland Browns, adding guard Zion Johnson and LB Quincy Williams is a starting point for the Todd Monken era of the Browns. A lot of other moves need to be made in order to move the team forward from a disappointing 2025 season.
That future is expected to include trading for OL Tytus Howard, but it seems unlikely to include veteran
OL Joel Bitonio. The biggest part of Cleveland’s future is what happens in the 2026 NFL draft. The Browns have two picks in the first round and three of the top 39 selections overall.
Following the start of NFL free agency, ESPN’s Field Yates put up a quick Top 10 NFL mock draft with a few new names in a few new places. With QB Fernando Mendoza and WR Carnell Tate being joined by three other defenders in the top five picks, Yates has Cleveland adding the first offensive lineman off the board:
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Browns traded for Tytus Howard, which might serve as a deterrent to drafting Mauigoa. Howard’s best position is right tackle, where Mauigoa played throughout his career at Miami.
With that said, the Browns have won eight games over the past two seasons and clearly know their offensive line needs work — as evidenced by the three-year, $49.5 million deal for guard Zion Johnson. I’d still advocate for adding Mauigoa, who is one of the steadiest players in the class, and figuring out the offensive line construction later.
The note at the end about “figuring out the offensive line construction later” is interesting, as there is debate about whether Mauigoa fits best as a tackle or guard at the NFL level. With just 10 picks mocked, no other offensive linemen were selected by Yates, which seems unlikely given the need in the NFL and talent in this year’s draft.
Given the Browns roster construction as currently situated, along with the talent in the 2026 NFL draft, offensive line and wide receiver still seem like the most likely additions at the top of the draft. Then again, we are on to Day 2 of NFL free agency, and a lot can change.
With Tate off the board in this mock draft, how do you feel about Mauigoa as the choice for the Browns? If you do not like the pick, who would you prefer?
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