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Browns make puzzling moves in Mel Kiper's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
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- Browns make puzzling moves in Mel Kiper's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and Cleveland Browns fans are excited to see what general manager Andrew Berry and the struggling franchise will do in this year's highly anticipated event.
After finishing the 2025 NFL season with an abysmal 5-12 record, the Browns now possess both the No. 6 and No. 24 pick, thanks to a last-minute trade down in the previous draft with the Jacksonville Jaguars . However, due to the ample amount of needs that the front office must address this offseason, Cleveland could find itself in a similar spot to last year's draft and ultimately trade back for a second year in a row.
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Longtime NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper released a full two-round mock draft on Wednesday morning, with the Browns making an intriguing move in the first round.
Browns' results from Kiper's Mock Draft
Kiper kicked off his mock draft with a massive first-round trade between the Browns and the Dallas Cowboys , which includes Berry moving back six spots to gain an additional first-round pick.
"In this scenario, Dallas would trade pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39," Kiper wrote .
Now, with picks No. 6, No. 20, and No. 24 in the hands of Berry and company, Cleveland would be able to address the left tackle position while simultaneously adding another wide receiver to the depleted room.
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Round One, Pick No. 12: Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
The Browns' first pick in Kiper's latest mock draft lands the organization a potential starting left tackle in Alabama's Kadyn Proctor , a rather polarizing figure in the upcoming draft.
"[Proctor] has been buzzy this month, and while his tape is a little inconsistent, the traits are all there," Kiper wrote. Proctor could lock down the left tackle spot for an offensive line undergoing big alterations."
Despite both Utah's Spencer Fano and Georgia's Monroe Freeling still on the board, Kiper took a gamble by selecting Proctor, who is widely considered to have the most inconsistent tape out of all the first-round offensive tackles. The former Crimson Tide left tackle has plenty of potential with his massive frame and stellar athleticism, but Proctor will be a major project for Cleveland if selected in round one.
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Round One, Pick No. 20: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington )
With the Cowboys' second first-round pick, Kiper has Cleveland selecting Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston following his impressive 2025 season with the Huskies.
"...Boston had 11 touchdowns himself last season. His dependable hands and ability to box out defenders with his strength make the quarterback's job a lot easier," Kiper stated.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 212 lbs., Boston possesses the ideal frame for a prototypical "X" receiver in the NFL, which allows him to be a terrific contested catch playmaker. Still, there are many concerns surrounding his game and how it translates to the next level, as he consistently failed to create separation against defensive backs in college.
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Round One, Pick No. 24: Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee )
Finally, with the third and final pick for the Browns in round one, Kiper made a shocking decision and took Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who has seen his draft stock take a dramatic fall throughout April.
"Of course, McCoy hasn't played a football game since 2024; he tore his ACL in January 2025 and sat out all of last season. But the tape is really good, and his ball skills (six interceptions in two seasons at Oregon State and Tennessee) are tremendous," Kiper wrote. " Denzel Ward , Tyson Campbell and McCoy would form a solid trio at the position."
Prior to the 2025 college football season, McCoy was the consensus No. 1 cornerback in this year's class after a dominant showing in the 2024-25 season. But after suffering an ACL tear against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoffs, McCoy's lingering medical concerns could cause him to fall in this year's draft. Cleveland desperately needs an additional safety heading into next year, but McCoy's value at pick No. 24 provides an excellent succession play to star cornerback Denzel Ward in the future.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns make puzzling moves in Mel Kiper's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
