The Cleveland Browns are ready for the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland enters the draft with two first-round picks following last year’s Travis Hunter trade with Jacksonville. Now there are rumors that the Browns could be open to trading down in the first round once again.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that more teams are looking to trade down instead of up during this year’s draft. He does not expected another blockbuster trade on draft night.
“Teams expect the trades we do see to be more jockeying for position than earthshaking blockbusters, such as the deal we saw last year between the Browns and Jaguars, when Cleveland moved out of the No. 2 pick in a stunning trade with the Jaguars,” Schefter declared.
Still, Schefter noted that the Browns could still be in play for a trade down. Cleveland is reportedly open to moving the sixth overall pick.
“One year later, the Browns are already taking calls about the No. 6 pick, and sources said they’re open to moving it,” Schefter wrote. “Another move back would give the Browns more capital in a draft in which they are already scheduled to have nine picks, including Nos. 6 and 24 in the first round.”
Cleveland could be looking to gain more total selections in this year’s draft by trading down. The Browns might also want to load up on 2027 draft picks to help accelerate their rebuild next offseason.
Still, it takes two teams to agree to a trade. So the Browns would need to find a team interested in trading up in order to execute a draft down.
It will be fascinating to see how Cleveland approaches the first round with these rumors in mind.
The Cleveland Browns are ready for the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland enters the draft with two first-round picks following last year’s Travis Hunter trade with Jacksonville. Now there are rumors that the Browns could be open to trading down in the first round once again. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that more teams are looking to trade down instead of up during this year’s draft.
