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Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes could present an “interesting” challenge for the Cleveland Browns.
It’s lingered in the background of every Cleveland Browns go-round in the various NFL draft simulations that are populating this here internet recently, and it’s something that has been mentioned for more than a month now, even before the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis. The Browns have the No. 6 pick in next month’s NFL draft, but whether they want to keep that pick is a very big question.
There are a few reasons for this. For one thing, there are expected to be some excellent players still on the board when the Browns pick at No. 6. But Cleveland does not necessarily need those players, nor do they play premium positions–top defenders like linebacker Sonny Styles or safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State, or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Another reason is that the Browns did have some success trading back last year, and for a team with as many holes to fill, in a draft that is not particularly top-heavy, moving back and collecting multiple picks is not a bad idea. The Browns could also seek another first-rounder in 2027, when there is expected to be a very good quarterback class.
Browns ‘Trying’ to Trade Out of No. 6 in NFL Draft
The idea has been mentioned repeatedly, including on Tuesday on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, when Anthony Lima said on Ken Carman’s show, “It just sounds to me like they’re trying to trade out of 6 and I think they’re not alone. Other teams are definitely trying to trade down as well.”
Cleveland.com’s Browns beat writer Dan Labbe also said on the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast that trading down is becoming more plausible as we get nearer the draft. “I do feel like trading down is a more likely scenario than maybe taking a defensive player at six,” he said.
2026 NFL Draft Is Not Top Heavy
The big issue is that the Browns need both a wide receiver and a left tackle, two gaping holes in the offense they did not address in free agency or through trades. But there aren’t any left tackles worth taking at No. 6. There’s Frances Mauigoa from Miami (No. 7 on Pro Football Focus’s big board), but he’s a right tackle. Spencer Fano is No. 12, but he is a right tackle.
No. 13 is Monroe Freeling, and the Browns could reach for him at No. 6, or wait to take him at No. 24–but he will likely be gone there.
As for receivers, it’s probably Carnell Tate at No. 6, but it’s a deep receiver draft, and the Browns would have good options at No. 24. In that respect, trading down from No. 6 and getting, say, the Cowboys‘ pick at No. 12 (with a chance to take Freeling) is not a bad option.
‘The Browns Are Going to Be Stuck’
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt can feel the Browns’ pain on this a bit. He appeared on the “Up and Adams” podcast with Kay Adams and explained that the Browns have the most “interesting” decision in that draft–a place where you want to make certain decisions, not interesting ones.
Said Klatt: “I am a big believer that–I am more of a best-available, vs. areas of need. Like, the Browns are going to be stuck in this one. I think the sixth pick is going to the most interesting pick in the draft because the Browns are going to be stuck to the point where they desperately want and need to take an offensive tackle.
“I gave them Monroe Freeling because he is the best tackle in the draft, because he is a natural left tackle. Whereas the be two best tackles in the draft, Frances Mauigoa and Spencer Fano, are more right tackles. I could just see Cleveland doing something like this, reaching for a left tackle because he plays left tackle.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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