Cleveland Browns NFL Draft 2026 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesThe BeastTop 300 RankingsConsensus Rankings7-Round Draft Order2026 NFL Draft Alabama's Kadyn Proctor would give the Browns a young offensive lineman with rare athletic gifts. Luke Hales / Getty Images Share article31The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL draft.  The Cleveland Browns have the Nos. 6 and 24 picks in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 23 in Pittsburgh. The Browns own nine total picks in the seven-round draft. Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft. • Round 1: April 23, 8 p.m. ET • Rounds 2-3: April 24, 7 p.m. ET • Rounds 4-7: April 25, noon ET • General manager: Andrew Berry • Head coach: Todd Monken (first season with team) • Last year’s record: 5-12 (last in AFC North) The Browns have a new coach and some new offensive linemen, but the overall offensive operation still has more questions than answers. For the second straight year, there will be a spring and summer quarterback competition. Atop a long list of immediate needs are left tackle and wide receiver, though both the line and pass-catching groups should continue to evolve. Can Shedeur Sanders show improvement and win the quarterback job? Would the Browns go back to Deshaun Watson? With this team, anything seems possible. Berry drafts young players with strong athletic traits. He’s failed in past chances to find big hits at offensive tackle and wide receiver, which adds an extra layer of uncertainty. The Browns might be playing for 2027, and specifically for next year’s quarterback search. But an immediate impact from the team’s three picks in the top 40 would be welcomed. • The Browns’ 2025 NFL Draft class • Zion Johnson, G: Three-year, $49.5 million deal • Elgton Jenkins, C/G: Two-year, $24 million deal • Jack Stoll, TE: One-year deal worth up to $1.32 million • Quincy Williams, LB: Two-year deal worth up to $17 million Quarterback: Sanders is probably first up. Watson, who hasn’t played since October 2024, remains under contract and has been fully cleared to return from a twice-torn right Achilles tendon. Though the Browns have studied the draft-eligible passers, they’re likely to give Sanders the first crack at either winning the job or positioning the team for a premium 2027 draft pick. Expect a mid-round addition to the quarterback room. Wide receiver: In a receiver class that’s deep but not necessarily top-heavy, the Browns will consider Ohio State’s Carnell Tate early but could wait. Both speed and size are needed in a wide receiver room that failed last season and seems open. Even if Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond ascend under Monken, the Browns still need reliable players who challenge defenses after the catch. Offensive tackle: The Browns have had eight players take turns at left tackle over the last three seasons. A March trade for Tytus Howard was meant to solidify the right tackle spot for now, but the future remains open across the line. The Browns almost certainly will select a tackle with one of their two first-round picks, but the team thus far has prioritized versatility and kept its options open. Expect at least two and maybe three offensive linemen to be added during this draft. Browns 7-round mock draft: Continued focus on O-linemen, playmaking receivers Using ‘The Beast’ to pinpoint late-round NFL Draft targets for the Browns Four questions about Browns’ draft plans: How likely is a trade-down from No. 6? Browns’ QB battle is just the start as massive NFL Draft decisions loom Browns 7-round mock draft: Heavy investment in the OL Browns big board: The OT prospects Cleveland should consider Browns mock draft: Improving the WR, OL groups in Round 1 April 20: ‘The Beast’ Top 300: Dane Brugler ranks his top 300 prospects across all positions April 19: New York Giants ready to party after trade changes top 10: Nick Baumgardner has Cleveland going with an O-lineman with its No. 6 selection April 15: Brugler predicts all 7 rounds and 257 picks: Brugler has the Browns trading down from their first selection at No. 6 April 10: NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ guide: Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankings April 6: Predicting picks 1-100: Baumgardner has Cleveland taking Miami OT Francis Mauigoa with its first selection A durable blocker whose best NFL role may be as a guard rather than right tackle. April 1: Picks based on intel from coaches, scouts, agents: Bruce Feldman has Cleveland taking an OT and WR with its first two picks March 25: What betting odds say about which prospects will land where: Vic Tafur has the Browns taking a first-round QB March 19: NFL beat writer mock draft 2.0: Zac Jackson has Cleveland upgrading its O-line and WR corps in Round 1 Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms