For some NFL fans, every little detail matters. For others, only the current week’s game is important and the rest is just a waste of air. Cleveland Browns fans are no different, maybe more passionate,
but we at DBN want to try to provide quality coverage of every detail, when possible and appropriate.
Week 8 is huge for the Browns as the NFL trade deadline looms just after the team’s bye week. A victory over the New England Patriots could pull Cleveland within a game of the top of the AFC North. A loss could lead to TE David Njoku, OL Joel Bitonio, and many others to lead the trade rumor mill.
A loss also would lock in the focus on the 2026 NFL draft.
Following Week 7, the Browns were slotted in the sixth spot, with the pick they received from the Jacksonville Jaguars sitting 20th in the order. With the Los Angeles Chargers winning on Thursday Night Football, knocking off the Minnesota Vikings, the Jaguars selection moved up a spot, and Cleveland’s strength of schedule dropped slightly (an important NFL draft tiebreaker).
A look at the current draft order shows just how bunched up the worst teams in the league are as well as those in the middle.
2026 NFL Draft Order after TNF
- New York Jets: 0-7
- Miami Dolphins: 1-6 (.478 SOS)
- New Orleans Saints: 1-6
- Tennessee Titans: 1-6
- Baltimore Ravens: 1-5
- Cleveland Browns: 2-5 (“win” tiebreaker with a .451 SOS vs next three teams at .550 or better)
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-5
- New York Giants: 2-5
- Arizona Cardinals: 2-5
- Houston Texans: 2-4
- Cincinnati Bengals: 3-4 (.460 SOS)
- Washington Commanders: 3-4
- Minnesota Vikings: 3-4
- Dallas Cowboys: 3-3-1
- Atlanta Falcons (goes to Rams): 3-3
- Carolina Panthers: 4-3 (.496 SOS)
- Kansas City Chiefs: 4-3
- Chicago Bears: 4-2
- Jacksonville Jaguars (goes to Browns): 4-3
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-3
- Buffalo Bills: 5-2 (.400 SOS)
- Seattle Seahawks: 5-2
- Los Angeles Rams: 5-2
- Detroit Lions: 5-2
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-2
- Denver Broncos: 5-2
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-2
- Philadelphia Eagles: 5-2
- New England Patriots: 5-2
- San Francisco 49ers: 5-2
- Green Bay Packers (goes to Cowboys): 4-1-1
- Indianapolis Colts: 6-1
Given the tight races all over the place, Cleveland could leave Week 8 with two picks in the Top 15, including one back in the Top 5, or their pick move around the 10th selection and the Jaguars into the bottom third of the order.
Every week, every game plays a huge role in the NFL draft order, especially near the midpoint of the season. For now, the Browns are picking twice inside the Top 20 in the 2026 NFL draft.
