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Three prospects Browns should have selected in 2026 NFL Draft
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- Three prospects Browns should have selected in 2026 NFL Draft
After an impressive showing in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have completely revamped multiple key positions heading into next season.
General manager Andrew Berry made it clear that his primary focus in this year's draft would come on the offensive side of the ball, as four of the Browns ' first five picks in the draft were offensive players . However, despite the front office's success this weekend, there were plenty of prospects that Cleveland could have selected, but ultimately decided to pass up in the middle round of the draft.
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Here are three names that the Browns could have targeted, but missed out on during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia)
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp (4) rushes as Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson (10) defends during the second quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Selected by the New Orleans Saints with No. 73 pick
After a slew of trades by Berry on the second day, the Browns missed out on a prime opportunity to add head coach Todd Monken's former Georgia tight end, Oscar Delp .
While Delp was not the most productive playmaker throughout his time with the Bulldogs (70 catches, 854 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns over four seasons), his athleticism and route-running ability were on full display in the SEC. With the Browns likely losing veteran tight end David Njoku for next season, Delp would have been an excellent replacement to pair with 2025 third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr.
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Connor Lew (IOL, Auburn)
Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with No. 128 pick
Another name that Cleveland missed out on due to the multiple mid-round trades was Auburn center Connor Lew, who was widely considered to be one of the top centers in this year's draft class.
Lew, who spent three seasons with the Tigers and is currently only 20 years old, is coming off an ACL injury that harmed his draft stock. The Browns signed veteran Elgton Jenkins this offseason, who is projected to be the starting center for the Browns in 2026. However, if Cleveland decided to take a gamble on Lew, the young offensive lineman would have been a perfect developmental player and a terrific succession plan for Jenkins in the future.
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Keith Abney II (CB, Arizona State)
Selected by the Detroit Lions with No. 157 pick
One of the most surprising players to fall in the draft was Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney, who was viewed as a consensus second-round pick prior to the draft.
The Browns' cornerback room with Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell is in good shape heading into the 2026 season, but Abney would have been a perfect depth piece for Cleveland next season, with the chance that he could carve out a larger role in the future. And with Martin Emerson Jr.'s future up in the air after his season-ending injury in training camp, missing out on the former Sun Devil is less than ideal for the Browns' defense in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Three prospects Browns should have selected in 2026 NFL Draft
