Browns’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft for all 9 picks

The Cleveland Browns will not tiptoe into the 2026 NFL Draft. They will storm in with intent. This is a franchise that has flirted with contention but has repeatedly run into the same brutal truth. In the AFC North, finesse gets you nowhere without force. So instead of chasing flash, Cleveland will go back back to fundamentals. This mock draft isn’t about patchwork fixes but about structural overhaul. Of course, it starts where all meaningful football conversations begin: the trenches.

Addressing the cracks in the foundation

Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns know that the protection of the quarterback and the evolution of the passing game can no longer be ignored. The offensive line is just no longer what it once was. They’ve lost key personnel this offseason. Cleveland will enter this cycle needing bookend tackles who can handle the speed of modern edge rushers. Furthermore, the wide receiver room will require an infusion of both size and route-running precision. With the defensive front seven also needing rotational depth, the mission will be clear: get younger, get faster, and get much, much tougher.

Here we’ll try to look at the players whom the Browns will pick during the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 1, pick 6: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

Cleveland will waste no time making a statement by selecting this mountain of a man. Francis Mauigoa possesses the rare combination of lateral quickness and a devastating punch. He will be the kind of cornerstone tackle who dictates the terms of engagement from the first snap. Mauigoa will be a human eraser. Against the kind of elite pass rushers that define their division, that will matter.

Round 1, pick 24: T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

In a move that will signal a total offensive line reboot, the Browns will snatch this massive presence with a stout anchor. Pairing Kadyn Proctor with Mauigoa will give Cleveland a set of bookends that could feasibly protect the pocket for the next decade. It’s a bold, almost old-school approach. GM Andrew Berry will build the wall first and worry about everything else later.

Round 2, pick 39: WR Chris Bell, Louisville

Chris Bell will bring a physical “X” receiver profile that the Browns have lacked. He should serve as a contested-catch specialist who can win on the boundary and provide a massive target in the red zone. This will be a quarterback’s safety blanket. Bell can turn 50-50 balls into 70-30 advantages.

Round 3, pick 70: WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

As one of the best route runners in the class, Williams can carve up zone defenses from the slot. He can also create crucial separation on third down. If Bell is the hammer, Williams will be the scalpel. Together, they will diversify a passing attack that has too often been predictable.

Round 4, pick 107: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

The LSU signal-caller will have a live arm and a “gunslinger mentality.” That will make him a fascinating developmental project with starting-caliber upside for Cleveland. This won’t be a panic pick. Rather, it will be a calculated investment. With improved protection, a quarterback like Nussmeier can compete in 2026 and perhaps become a much more intriguing long-term proposition.

Round 5, pick 146: ED Mason Reiger, Wisconsin

Mason Reiger will offer a high-motor edge presence and disciplined run defense. He will provide the defensive front with the rotation needed to sustain an aggressive scheme. Reiger won’t be flashy. However, he is exactly the kind of piece that keeps a defense from wearing down in December.

Round 5, pick 149: TE Dallen Bentley, Utah

This versatile playmaker will boast impressive ball skills. He should contribute in multiple-tight end sets immediately. This is also insurance for David Njoku’s departure. Bentley can blossom into a matchup nightmare waiting to happen.

Round 6, pick 206: FB Eli Heidenreich, Navy

Eli Heidenreich will be a fascinating backfield addition. His speed and high football IQ will make him a versatile chess piece for unique offensive packages and special teams units. He should complement Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson quite well.

Round 7, pick 248: LB Eric Gentry, USC

An absolute steal in the final round, Gentry possesses incredible length and range. These will make him a threat for quarterbacks trying to find throwing lanes in the middle of the field. Late-round picks rarely come with this kind of upside.

Doubling down on the trenches

By securing two premier tackles in the first round, the Browns will have executed a dream scenario. This will be high-level asset management that ensures the offense will have the time to actually operate under pressure. Historically, successful Cleveland teams have been built from the inside out. This draft class will double down on that philosophy with aggressive intent. If Mauigoa and Proctor develop as expected, the ripple effect will be felt across the entire roster. This should allow the skill positions to flourish without the constant threat of a collapsing pocket.

That said, what will make this class compelling is the layering. Cleveland will complement protection with receivers who win in different ways. They will alsop bring in a developmental quarterback with upside and defensive pieces that sustain identity. This won’t be a one-note draft. It will be a coordinated effort to realign the team’s DNA.

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