The Cleveland Browns are once again looking at the NFL draft to attempt to fix their fortunes. After another disastrous season that saw them miss the playoffs, Cleveland is looking to make upgrades on their roster. Armed with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland is in a prime position to draft difference-makers in any position they want.
The critical pieces that the Browns need from this draft are mostly on the offensive side of the ball. While there are some potential upgrades on defense, their defense was largely the reason why they remained competitive against some teams over the last few years. However, their offense has been a mess for the longest time. Let’s look at who the analysts believe will be the Browns’ picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pick #6: Monroe Freeling, OT
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Tim Crean, ClutchPoints; Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN, Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Holding the sixth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, most analysts project the Browns to go one of two ways. The first player that is mocked to the Browns is Georgia left tackle Monroe Freeling.
The Browns’ offensive line was solid before, but things took a drastic turn for the worse in 2025. A big part of their issues is the instability of their blindside tackle position. Dawand Jones was projected to be the starter for the team, but he struggled and was hurt all the time. His backups did not fare any better, which led to the offensive line ranking #31st last season.
Drafting Freeling might not be an immediate fix for the Browns’ offensive line woes. It doesn’t need to be. Freeling is a project prospect, but he’s an imposing player with great measurables for his position. For all the flak Cleveland gets with their draft positions, they’ve done pretty well in developing their own offensive linemen. Freeling has all the tools to become the next great left tackle for the Browns.
Pick #6: Carnell Tate, WR
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Field Yates, ESPN; Bleacher Report; Todd McShay, The Ringer, Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Outside of the offensive line, the Browns have another major issue with their offense. They already have a budding tight end in Harold Fannin Jr and an up-and-coming running back in Quinshon Judkins. The quarterback room is a bit of a mess, but the first round of this year’s draft isn’t the right place to address this.
What’s more concerning, though, is that the Browns don’t have a top-flight receiver on their roster. Jerry Jeudy has not delivered on the promise that he brought when he was first traded to the team, and the rest of the WR group is uninspiring, to say the least. No matter who the quarterback is that they’ll be fielding next season, the Browns need to have an elite wide receiver to balance the odds.
This is where Carnell Tate comes in for the Browns. The best wide receiver in this year’s draft class, Tate is elite at creating separation at the top of the route and getting open. He’s got solid speed to blow by defenders and can be utilized in many different areas of the offense.
Pick #24: Omar Cooper, WR
Tim Crean, ClutchPoints
At the 24th pick, things get a little more diverse for the Browns’ offense. One of the options here is Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper. A late riser in this year’s cycle, Cooper is getting a lot of attention for his ability to play as a great outside wide receiver. With his strength and his YAC potential, Cooper can be a great piece for this young offense that doesn’t have a lot of good options at wide receiver.
Pick #22: Jordyn Tyson, WR
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Reuter has the Browns trading up two spots to the 22nd pick to draft one of the most polarizing wide receivers in this year’s draft class: Jordyn Tyson. Tyson’s potential is limitless: he boasts a ton of versatility and is elite at catching contested balls. However, a lengthy injury history, including four hamstring injuries last season, put serious doubt in his ability to stay healthy.
Pick #24: Makai Lemon, WR
Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN
Another wide receiver for the Browns, Lemon is smaller than his other wide receiver peers at 5’11. However, the star wide receiver had 1,156 yards for USC last season, playing way above his stature. He would be a steal at this position for the Browns, but they’ll gladly take him if he’s available.
Pick #24: Caleb Lomu, OT
Field Yates, ESPN; Todd McShay, The Ringer; Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com; Bleacher Report.
While there’s a lot of discussion about which wide receiver the Browns should pick up in the late first round, most draft experts agree that there’s only one offensive lineman that’s worth picking up for Cleveland here. Like Freeling, Lomu is a raw prospect who already shows flashes of elite play with his movement and his pass-protection. This is once again a long-term play for Cleveland as they look to build towards the 2027 season.
The Cleveland Browns are once again looking at the NFL draft to attempt to fix their fortunes. After another disastrous season that saw them miss the playoffs, Cleveland is looking to make upgrades on their roster. Armed with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland is in a prime position to draft difference-makers in any position they want.
