The “noise” at the 2026 NFL combine is significantly less than what everyone is used to. Some of that is due to the quite limited quarterback class. Some due to the mediocre NFL free agency class. A little bit is due to a lot of media and agents being either delayed by weather or not traveling due to weather.
The now-regular Day 1 Cleveland Browns and NFL draft rumors piece covered as many topics as possible as information was gathered boots on the ground. Much of that was aggregated by accounts that simplified
things in ways that didn’t exactly capture the reality of the reporting, which was far more about where the Browns are in a process, not predicting what would happen with any certainty.
Day 2 was a little different at the NFL combine. Cleveland’s new HC Todd Monken spoke, sharing his unique brand of personality as he talked about the things he valued and the likely quarterback competition. Beyond that, rumors of QB Derek Carr returning have picked up some steam as teams are desperate for quarterbacks, and trade conversations are spinning at a rapid rate.
There is also the upcoming NFL draft.
For almost everyone, the Browns will be and should be selecting offensive players with their picks in the first round and with most of their overall selections. As noted in The Feed at the start of the week, fans should be prepared for Cleveland to select a defensive player in the first two rounds. While nothing is certain, GM Andrew Berry and Monken are not going to limit themselves when picking players high in the draft.
That could include their first overall selection, currently slotted as the sixth overall pick, with those rumors picking up on the second day of the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
As of now, The Ohio State Buckeyes have three stud defenders who are also expected to be selected in the first 10 picks on the 2026 NFL draft: LB Arvell Reese, S Caleb Downs, and LB Sonny Styles. It is possible that both linebackers are off the board before the Browns current first pick, but we are early in the draft process. The only certainty, seemingly, at this point is that QB Fernando Mendoza will be selected with the first pick.
Rumors started to pick up on Wednesday that Monken and Berry, perhaps in that order, would be very tempted to select Reese or Downs, in that order, with the sixth overall pick. Styles may be in that group as well, but he was not mentioned by sources in multiple discussions.
The idea of pairing Reese with Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger behind the stellar defensive line led by DE Myles Garrett would be highly problematic for opposing offenses. Reese showed the ability to make plays in the backfield while also dropping into space with his electric physical gifts. Buckeyes DC Matt Patricia used former Cleveland LB Jamie Collins as a comparison for Reese.
Reese is excited about any opportunity he gets, but noted how joining the Browns could be extra special:
Due to positional value, Downs is more likely to be available when Cleveland selects. With new DC Mike Rutenberg, Cleveland’s defense will need a free safety who can play deep more regularly than what DC Jim Schwartz did. Downs had a great two years at Ohio State, but was not used in that role often, which leads to some projection on what he could become at the NFL level as a pure free safety.
No one questions Downs’ overall ability to change the game with his football IQ, physical gifts, and work ethic. If the Browns believe he can be a standout free safety, the centerfield type, his value would clearly fit near the top of this draft class.
As rumors grew on Wednesday, four reasons were given why Berry and Monken would be open to drafting either Reese or Downs (or perhaps another top defender):
- Drafting talented players, not fit, is what good-to-great teams do
- Monken believes in his ability to improve the offense just based on his system and teaching
- The Browns have two more very high picks to add to the offense in a draft that is more muddled after the first 5 to 10 players
- Increasing trade-down value
- The Dallas Cowboys are a team that has been rumored to really like Downs and has some extra draft capital
It is important to note that the NFL offseason is barely in motion at this point. As Monken noted on Wednesday, the new coach has barely had time to evaluate his own roster and, like most, has a lot of information to gather about the incoming NFL draft class.
Everything is currently on the table for the Browns, no matter how bad their offense is. It will be interesting to watch as Berry and Monken navigate their first NFL draft together. Cleveland fans might benefit from at least preparing for the possibility that a defensive player is the team’s first selection this year, with a strong possibility that it is a Buckeye defender coming up I-71 from Columbus.
How would you feel about the Browns selecting Reese or Downs with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft? Does the fact that both are Buckeyes impact your opinion (either way)?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below
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