The “March” to the 2026 NFL draft has turned the corner to April, and the final countdown. For the Cleveland Browns, this year’s draft looks like to join last year’s in helping build the foundation of what the team will be in the future. In 2025, GM Andrew Berry added key players in the front seven of the defense, a stud running back, and a top-flight tight end.
This year, it seems likely an offensive tackle and wide receiver will be added to that list, but Berry has a lot of draft capital to work
with. A quarterback seems unlikely, at least high in the draft. What if the Browns really do believe that Dawand Jones, fresh off his basketball workouts, can be counted on as the team’s starting left tackle in 2026?
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That could open up all sorts of options for Cleveland in the 2026 NFL draft.
With that in mind, we logged into the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator with the plan to not address quarterback or offensive tackle early. The results? A huge trade down, and a lot of talent added to the Browns roster.
First, the trade:
Lions receive: Pick #6
Browns receive: Picks #17 and 50 plus 2027 2nd and 3rd rounders
It would have been nice to acquire a first-round pick in this deal, but the simulator was not allowing it. Instead, Cleveland gets two second-round picks and a third to move down 11 spots. While the drop is 11 spots, this year’s draft is considered pretty flat in the middle, with picks 10 to around 25 having similar values.
First round – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
What is better than one Harold Fannin Jr.? Two. Sadiq may not fill a huge hole, but he could give HC Todd Monken another weapon to work with that makes life more difficult for defenses. Fannin and Sadiq can stress defenses down the seam and basically provide slot receiver play, with more versatility, together.
First round – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
A talented receiver who struggled a bit with drops, mostly due to poor ball placement from his quarterback, Concepcion can do a little bit of everything. While not the biggest receiver, he knows how to get physical and the nuances of playing the position. With Jerry Jeudy, Concepcion, Sadiq, and Fannin, Monken can let his QBs get the ball out quickly and allow the pass catchers to make plays.
Second round – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
We didn’t forget about the need for someone to make contested catches on the outside, just went with talent over size with the second pick. The 6’4” Boston can make plays on the outside while also being able to go over the middle. Adding three pass catchers with different skill sets will help the offense diversify and have a huge upside long-term.
Second round – CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
With the plan to avoid a left tackle early, getting the best slot corner in this year’s draft makes a lot of sense. Cleveland has struggled at slot corner for a while now. Ponds fixes all of that with Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell locking down the outside.
Third round – OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M
Seeing what you can get out of Jones this year makes some sense while trying to build the foundation of the future. Crownover is another mammoth offensive tackle that could develop behind Jones, with George Warhop helping to get the best out of the 6’7” with great athleticism.
Fourth round – CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
Another traits-based selection, Muhammad gives the Browns depth at a very important position while preparing for another Ward injury or just preparing for the future. The value was too high with this pick to go in a different direction.
Fifth round – QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State
If everyone expects Dillon Gabriel to be elsewhere by the start of next season, adding another quarterback makes sense. Berry noted that if they did, it would likely be a younger QB. Payton has a lot of upside and some good physical traits
Fifth round – DT Zane Durant, Penn State
Not a big name for many, but Durant’s movement skills at the NFL combine impressed many. Cleveland, like most teams, needs to continue to add to both lines, with Durant stepping into Shelby Harris’ roster spot, possibly.
Sixth round – S Wydett Williams Jr., Ole Miss
At the start of NFL free agency, the team tendered FS Ronnie Hickman with just the right of first refusal, not the reported second-round tender. Hickman’s future with the Browns is now more up in the air than expected, adding the fluid Williams, who can also help on special teams right away, hedges Cleveland’s future at safety a bit.
Seventh round – TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
Unlike Sadiq, Kacmarek’s upside is as a blocker. Plus, adding an Ohio State Buckeyes player is rarely a bad idea.
What do you think of this Browns mock draft, remembering the goal was not to take a QB or OT early? Join the conversation in the comment section below
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