The NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns have a love-hate relationship. Cleveland is responsible for selecting some of the biggest draft busts in history over the years. Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert, and Brandon Weeden are some examples. Furthermore, the team has held the number one draft pick on numerous occasions. Tim Couch and Courtney Brown are two of the worst first overall selections ever, whereas Myles Garrett is fresh off breaking the single-season sacks record.
Even the Browns’ last draft was interesting. They took two quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. It isn’t clear if either is the team’s answer at the most important position in football, though. The Browns also traded out of the number two pick and the chance to draft Heisman Trophy-winning two-way superstar Travis Hunter. Cleveland moved down to pick five and took Mason Graham.
Everybody expects the unexpected from the Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, too. So, where will the Browns select in the draft, and who should they target at their biggest needs?
Browns’ 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Browns have become far too familiar with selecting early in the draft over the years. They once again not only have an early pick, but they again have multiple first-round choices. The question is, will Cleveland capitalize on these picks? Below are all the Browns’ 2026 NFL Draft choices.
- Round one, pick six
- Round one, pick 24 (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Round two, pick 39
- Round three, pick 70
- Round four, pick 107
- Round five, pick 146
- Round five, pick 149 (via Cincinnati Bengals)
- Round six, pick 206 (via Chicago Bears)
- Round seven, pick 248 (via Seattle Seahawks)
Browns’ 2026 NFL Draft needs and targets
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Browns are in an interesting spot when it comes to positional need. They drafted two quarterbacks last year, but it isn’t clear if either Sanders or Gabriel is the long-term answer. If the Browns were in a position to draft an elite quarterback prospect, they probably would. Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a one-quarterback class, and Fernando Mendoza will be off the board before Cleveland is on the clock. After taking two post-first-round signal-callers last year, it wouldn’t be worth it to add another this year. So, what are the Browns’ biggest needs outside of the quarterback position?
Offensive tackle: Regardless of who will be slinging the pigskin going forward, the Browns need offensive lineman that can protect their quarterback(s). The team went to work improving the interior of the trenches, as Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson were among the best centers and guards signed in the offseason, respectively. Tytus Howard was added to play right tackle, too.
There is still work to be done, though, especially on the blindside. This is especially true if Sanders is chosen to quarterback the team, because the Colorado product’s biggest weakness is holding onto the football for too long. He needs ample time to avoid the rush in order to be effective. If the Browns elect to go offensive tackle, they will likely have the pick of the litter. Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano are the top tackle prospects.
Receiver: On top of needing protection, the Browns’ next quarterback is going to need more weapons. Jerry Jeudy is a great route runner, but he has never truly put it all together. The team’s pass-catching depth behind Jeudy is suspect, too. Luckily, the top three receiver prospects are all highly touted.
Any of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson would be beloved in Cleveland. Tate thrives in all three levels of the field, but he is particularly potent in the deep game. He could really help open up the Browns’ offense. Lemon put up big numbers in college at USC because of his prowess as a route runner and his sure-handedness. Tyson is a chess piece that can be used in a number of different ways by NFL play callers.
Edge: Myles Garrett just broke the single-season sack record. Because of that, the edge rusher position doesn’t look like a huge need at first glance. The next leading sacker on the team was defensive tackle Maliek Collins with 6.5, though. Adding a pass-rushing partner in crime for Garrett would make the Browns’ defense one of the scariest in the league to take on.
Arvell Reese is arguably the top prospect in this draft class, but there is a scenario where he is available at pick six. If that becomes the case on draft night, the Browns need to bounce on selecting him, especially because he can play off-ball linebacker, too. Davis Bailey and Reuben Bain are other early first-round edge targets, and Akheem Mesidor and T.J. Parker could be had with Cleveland’s second first-round pick.
Recent draft history – top pick in each of the last five years
2025: Mason Graham, Michigan, DT (Round one, pick five)
2024: Michael Hall, Ohio State, DT (Round two, pick 54)
2023: Cedric Tillman, Tennessee, WR (Round three, pick 74)
2022: Martin Emerson, Mississippi State, CB (Round three, pick 68)
2021: Greg Newsome, Northwestern, CB (Round one, pick 26)
The Browns had at least two first-round draft picks in five out of seven years from 2012 to 2018. As of late, though, the team hasn’t been within the top 32 picks as often. They were without a first-round pick in each year from 2022 to 2024. They were able to find some decent value, even later in the draft. Martin Emerson had become a great partner in crime at the cornerback position for Denzel Ward.
However, an Achilles’ tear really turned Emerson’s career for the worse. Greg Newsome, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, helped form one of the best cornerback trios for a while with those two, but he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Despite the Browns’ recent struggles, the team’s defense has performed admirably, but the cornerback position isn’t as much of a strength as it was a year or two ago.
Cedric Tillman has struggled with injuries, but he’s been a solid pass-catching option when healthy. Michael Hall, on the other hand, hasn’t done much since being drafted in the second round. He has played just 17 games and racked up 2.5 sacks over two seasons.
Mason Graham was the team’s number five overall pick last season. The jury is still out on the Michigan product. From a statistical perspective, Graham underwhelmed as a rookie. He only had half a sack all season long, but he does do a lot of the intangibles that make Cleveland’s defense better. Plus, by trading from the two slot down to five to secure Graham, the Browns were able to take on an additional first-round choice for the 2026 NFL Draft. Slowly but surely, the Browns need to change their reputation in the draft, and it starts this year.
The NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns have a love-hate relationship. Cleveland is responsible for selecting some of the biggest draft busts in history over the years. Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert, and Brandon Weeden are some examples. Furthermore, the team has held the number one draft pick on numerous occasions.
