The NFL knows no boundaries when it comes to its schedule. The end of the regular season gave way to 10 new head coaches, including Cleveland Browns HC Todd Monken, which gave way to the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl and now, the NFL combine has come and gone.
As rumors, but not as many as previous years, flew around the Browns, Cleveland GM Andrew Berry got to work quickly after leaving Indianapolis, Indiana, by trading for OT Tytus Howard on Monday (which will not be official until the league year starts).
With that trade, Browns mock drafts got a big jolt of information that could change things for the team.
Following the conclusion of the NFL combine and the Howard trade, we used Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to continue to build out Cleveland’s roster for the 2026 NFL season and beyond. The mock draft starts out with a trade offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who wanted to move up from the 15th spot to snag star RB Jeremiyah Love. The Browns were not able to snag another first-round pick next year, but did come away with a good haul, overall, to move down nine spots in a weaker draft:
- Bucs receive picks 6 and 144
- Browns receive picks 15, 46, and Tampa Bay’s 2nd and 3rd round picks next year
Browns Round 1 – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Clearly the most upside at the left tackle position in this year’s draft, Freeling had a very good NFL combine and could see a similar rise as Armand Membou, who was selected 7th last year after being considered a mid to late first-rounder at the start of the process.
Browns Round 1 – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Showed everything needed at the NFL combine to be a first-round pick, Cooper is the type of receiver who has the skills to win at every level and make plays with the ball in his hands.
Browns Round 2 – WR Chris Bell, Louisville
An ACL injury is the only reason that the big-bodied Bell falls this far, but it gives Cleveland a pair of young receivers to build their passing offense around, along with TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Browns Round 2 – LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Cleveland would have interest in Arvell Reese to pair with Carson Schwesinger if he had fallen to the sixth pick. Instead, Golday presents a similar physical talent who can create havoc around the line of scrimmage and has the size and length to be helpful in pass coverage as well.
Browns Round 3 – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
The lesser-known Price is dwarfed in attention by his college teammate Love, but provides a big back presence for a Cleveland offense that needs balance and has Quinshon Judkins coming back from injury. Price could see his stock rise into the early 2nd round by the time the NFL draft comes around.
Browns Round 4 – S Genesis Smith, Arizona
We covered Smith’s fit with Cleveland previously. The Browns defense needs a true centerfielder, along with certainty at the second linebacker spot, and Smith is a steal here near the top of the 4th round.
Browns Round 5 – DT Zane Durant, Penn State
Not sure how Durant is still available, but with Mike Hall Jr. potentially on the trade block, adding to the defensive line is helpful. Even if Hall is around, no team ever has enough linemen on either side of the ball. Durant had a very good NFL combine.
Browns Round 6 – Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Klubnik was thought to be a first-round pick before the 2025 college season started. Now, he falls late in the draft and is a flyer selection by Cleveland, who may need an extra body in the quarterback room this year.
Browns Round 7 – CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington
Berry is unlikely to leave the 2026 NFL draft without a cornerback after doing so in last year’s draft. Plus, why not add Ephesians to Genesis in the same draft?
How do you feel about this Browns mock draft? Adding the Bucs 2nd and 3rd round picks next year could give Cleveland a lot of flexibility while still picking up the highest ceiling left tackle this year
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