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Browns 2026 NFL mock draft: examining a first-round trade
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- Browns 2026 NFL mock draft: examining a first-round trade
The Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry will now look to build on their recent success in the 2026 NFL Draft after the first wave of free agency.
Given how the struggling organization could approach the highly anticipated event, Berry and the front office must focus on the offensive side of the ball. And with 10 picks in the upcoming draft, Cleveland is in a prime position to revamp the unit this offseason.
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Here's a full seven-round mock draft for the Browns , with a shocking trade down on night one.
Round One, Pick No. 15: Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)*
*CLE trades No. 6, No. 146, 2027 RD5 to TB for No. 15, No. 46, 2027 RD3
Despite all the rumors surrounding the Browns' interest in Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at pick No. 6, I still believe the most likely outcome would be trading down.
In this scenario, Cleveland moves down to No. 15 and selects Caleb Lomu, who can be a plug-and-play starting left tackle in 2026. Lomu struggled at times in the run game, but his stout frame (6-foot-6, 308 lbs.) and strong pass-blocking performance offer a solid baseline for his development in the NFL.
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Round One, Pick No. 24: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (SAF, Toledo)
Obviously, the Browns should direct their attention to the offensive side of the ball in the draft. However, the safety position could use extra help next season with Ronnie Hickman Jr. and Grant Delpet.
Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be exactly what the Browns' secondary unit needs heading into next season. The versatile safety is a complete difference maker against both the run and pass game, as he posted a 92.1 PFF defensive grade in 2025.
Round Two, Pick No. 39: Chris Bell (WR, Louisville)
Clearly, the Browns could use additional help in the wide receiver department heading into next season, and Louisville's Chris Bell makes perfect sense for newly-hired head coach Todd Monken . At 6-foot-2, 222 lbs., Bell may be coming off an ACL tear, but his fantastic ability to create yards after the catch makes him an excellent option for Cleveland in the second round.
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Round Two, Pick No. 46: Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
With the second selection in round two, thanks to the trade down, Berry and the front office can add another talented wide receiver alongside Bell in Alabama's Germie Bernard. While he may not possess any elite traits as a pass catcher, Bernard can play anywhere on the field and is willing to do the dirty work in both the pass and run game.
Round Three, Pick No. 70: Keionte Scott (CB, Miami )
Depending on whether or not the Browns decide to bring back 2022 third-round pick Martin Emerson Jr. this offseason, the organization could use a third cornerback to pair with Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell . Miami's Keionte Scott showed plenty of flashes during the 2025-26 College Football Playoffs and would be a terrific young defensive back to develop behind Ward and Campbell.
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Round Four, Pick No. 107: Trey Zuhn III (IOL, Texas A&M)
Round Five, Pick No. 149: Diego Pounds (OT, Ole Miss )
Focusing on the offensive side of the ball on Day Three, Cleveland should use these picks on building up the depth of the offensive line due to the staggering amount of injuries the team faces up front. Texas A&M's Trey Zuhn, a former tackle who will transition inside at the NFL level, and Ole Miss' Diego Pounds are two flyers in the trenches who would provide additional depth.
Round Six, Pick No. 206: Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson)
Round Seven, Pick No. 248: RJ Maryland (TE, SMU)
Earlier this offseason, Berry made it clear that he is willing to bring in a young quarterback to compete with veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders . Clemson's Cade Klubnik is an intriguing dual-threat option in round six, and could be a perfect fit for Monken's style of play on offense.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns 2026 NFL mock draft: examining a first-round trade
