🏈 Browns NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & More
Armed with two first-round picks and one of the NFL's most overhauled rosters, the Cleveland Browns enter draft week with the No. 6 and No. 24 picks and a chance to reshape their franchise under head coach Todd Monken - starting with a decision at quarterback that could define the next era of football in Cleveland.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Browns' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Cleveland will draft in the first round, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Browns draft picks 2026
See where the Browns rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 6, 24 (via JAX) |
| 2 | No. 39 |
| 3 | No. 70 |
| 4 | No. 107 |
| 5 | No. 146, 149 |
| 6 | No. 206 |
| 7 | No. 248 |
🆘 Browns team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, EDGE
- Key additions: Zion Johnson (OG), Tytus Howard (OT, via trade), Quincy Williams (LB)
- Key departures: Joel Bitonio (OG), Wyatt Teller (OG, Texans), Jack Conklin (OT), David Njoku (TE), Martin Emerson (CB)
The Browns' quarterback room is always a featured topic of draft week, and that remains true this week with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel all in the mix entering 2026. With such a weak QB class, though, the offensive line might be the more urgent fix after Cleveland lost three longtime starters in Bitonio, Teller, and Conklin, gutting a unit that was once among the league's best. The receiving corps needs help too with Browns wideouts combining for just four touchdowns all of last season, worst in the NFL.
🏈 Browns draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Browns' best prospect fits in a dream scenario, their safest picks, and their best upside picks tonight:
| Pick type | No. 6 pick | No. 24 pick | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Spencer Fano, OL, Utah (7.20) | KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (7.20) | The Dallas Cowboys look like a potential trade candidate for the Browns, and if Cleveland could move back and add a gifted athlete along the offensive line in Fano and a dynamic route runner at receiver in Concepcion, that would be best case scenario |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (7.25) | Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana (7.20) | Players like Mauigoa and Cooper are exactly what the Browns need, physical plug-and-play starters with high floors who can help rebuild the culture in Cleveland for new head coach Todd Monken |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (7.25) | Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (7.05) | Tate is the most talented wide receiver in the draft and can immediately give Cleveland a downfield threat with his ball tracking skills and ability to win contested catches, while Lomu is a smooth athlete with Pro Bowl upside if he can add strength |
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📝 Browns mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Cleveland Browns' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Cleveland to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 12) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 6) |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 6) |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | Spencer Fano, OL, Utah (No. 12) |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 6) |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 6) |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 12) |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (No. 6) |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 6) |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Spencer Fano, OL, Utah (No. 12) |
🎯 Browns first position drafted
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Cleveland needs to rebuild its offensive line and add a legitimate receiving threat after its wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season. The Browns' first pick is at No. 6, and offensive tackle is the clear priority with their first selection. That's why the market has OL priced as the overwhelming favorite with a 70% chance of being the first pick.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 Browns draft predictions 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 12 (traded back from No. 6): Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
- Pro comparison: Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Measurables: 6'5" | 311 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.80
Trading back appears to be what Browns GM Andrew Berry wants to do, and if he can move back six spots and add a first-round pick while still taking a top offensive lineman, there will be reason to celebrate in Cleveland. New head coach Todd Monken will need to lean on the run game in his first season, and Spencer Fano gives him a fluid mover on the offensive line who can play tackle or guard. Fano allowed just five pressures and gave up zero sacks at Utah in 2025, too.
Trade specifics: Browns trade pick No. 6 (Round 1) to Cowboys for picks No. 12 (Round 1), No. 20 (Round 1), and a 2027 second-round pick.
Paul's pick at No. 20: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
- Pro comparison: Emeka Egbuka
- Measurables: 6'0" | 199 lbs | 22 years old | RAS: 9.15
After using their first pick on offensive line help, the Browns can use the second pick they received in the trade back with the Cowboys on much-needed pass-catching help. Omar Cooper Jr. is among the most physical wide receivers in the draft class, both with the ball in his hands and as a blocker. He has rare contact balance for a receiver and was fourth nationally in forced missed tackles on receptions in 2025 (27). He can start in the slot as a rookie.
Paul's pick at No. 24: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
- Pro comparison: Justin Reid
- Measurables: 6'3" | 201 lbs | 22 years old | RAS: 9.01
After addressing two of their biggest needs on offense with their first two picks (Fano, Cooper), the Browns bolster their defense here with a preposterously large safety. Monken comes from Baltimore, where they had Kyle Hamilton, so you have to think he'll like the idea of drafting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. EMW can be a chess piece for defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, with his versatility to be an enforcer in the box and his fluidity and instincts allowing him to play single-high.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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