Heading into the 2025 season, there was at least some semblance of hope that things would look “okay” with one of Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders at the helm, but that unfortunately hasn’t come to fruition.
This underwhelming season has been productive in one area, though, and that’s figuring out what the team still needs to address when it comes to personnel. Cleveland obviously still needs to find their quarterback, add talent to the wide receiver room, and completely revamp the offensive
line.
This mock did a nice job of hitting on those problem areas:
Round 1
No.3 – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
No.19 – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
As of right now, Mendoza is the clear-cut No.1 QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Carnell Tate could end up being a top-two wide receiver by the time April gets here. Mendoza would undoubtedly give Cleveland their quarterback of the future, and Tate would immediately upgrade the wide receiver room going forward. These picks at No.3 and No.19, respectively, would be a home run first round for the Browns.
Round 2
No.38 – OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
By the time pick 38 came around, the offensive tackle value wasn’t there, so the No.1-ranked offensive guard was a pretty good consolation prize. Ioane is an absolute tank who’d step into the starting lineup for Cleveland at one of the guard spots.
Round 3
No.69 – OT Austin Barber, Florida
Barber has shown flashes of greatness at left tackle for the Gators, and he’s a very smart and technically sound player. He’s been one of the absolute best pass-blockers at offensive tackle in all of college football over the past two seasons, and there’s a good chance that the 6’6”, 315-pound blocker would be Cleveland’s day one starter at left tackle heading into 2026.
Round 4
No.104 – S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Cleveland is always looking for safeties both in free agency and the NFL Draft, and they get a great one here in the fourth round. Kilgore would be able to contribute right away as the team’s third safety and on special teams.
Round 5
No.143 – OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
No.146 – CB Chandler Rivers – Duke
No.148 – G/T Ryan Baer – Pittsburgh
Max Iheanachor has been slowly climbing up draft boards recently, and for good reason. He’s still very raw as a player, but he shows insane potential as a long-term NFL offensive lineman. He’s fairly new to the game, is incredibly strong, and has been improving every season as a pass blocker. Iheanachor also has excellent feet and could develop into a starter at right tackle for Cleveland within two to three years.
Rivers has been one of the best corners in the ACC in 2025, and he would give the Browns improved depth at the cornerback position.
Baer is a local kid from Eastlake, OH, and has been PITT’s starting offensive tackle since his sophomore year. He’s not particularly above-average in any one area, but his versatility could lead him to be a competent depth player for Cleveland at both offensive guard or tackle.
Round 6
No. 204 – LB/DE Trey Moore, Texas
Moore has been a rotational player for Texas in 2025, but he’s incredibly athletic and a ferocious pass rusher when getting after the quarterback. He has the flexibility and pass rush repertoire to play DE, and the athleticism/movement skills to play SAM at times. His ability to contribute on special teams as well could make him an attractive “iron man” type player for the Browns.
Round 7
No.241 – WR Eugene Wilson III
Wilson has been really inconsistent throughout his collegiate career, though when he’s healthy and locked in, he looks incredible. There’s a good chance that if he didn’t get hurt so often at Florida over the past two seasons, he’d be a top 10 WR in this class based on talent level alone.
Being able to snag Wilson in round 7 would be huge for Cleveland.
What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
