The \u201cnoise\u201d at the 2026 NFL combine is significantly less than what everyone is used to. Some of that is due to the quite limited quarterback class. Some due to the mediocre NFL free agency class. A little bit is due to a lot of media and agents being either delayed by weather or not traveling due to weather.<\/p>\n
The now-regular Day 1 Cleveland Browns and NFL draft rumors piece<\/a> covered as many topics as possible as information was gathered boots on the ground. Much of that was aggregated by accounts that simplified things in ways that didn\u2019t exactly capture the reality of the reporting, which was far more about where the Browns are in a process, not predicting what would happen with any certainty.<\/p>\n Day 2 was a little different at the NFL combine. Cleveland\u2019s new HC Todd Monken spoke, sharing his unique brand of personality as he talked about the things he valued and the likely quarterback competition<\/a>. Beyond that, rumors of QB Derek Carr returning<\/a> have picked up some steam as teams are desperate for quarterbacks, and trade conversations are spinning at a rapid rate.<\/p>\n There is also the upcoming NFL draft.<\/p>\n For almost everyone, the Browns will be and should be selecting offensive players with their picks in the first round<\/a> and with most of their overall selections<\/a>. As noted in The Feed at the start of the week<\/a>, fans should be prepared for Cleveland to select a defensive player in the first two rounds. While nothing is certain, GM Andrew Berry and Monken are not going to limit themselves when picking players high in the draft.<\/p>\n That could include their first overall selection, currently slotted as the sixth overall pick, with those rumors picking up on the second day of the NFL combine in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n As of now, The Ohio State Buckeyes have three stud defenders who are also expected to be selected in the first 10 picks on the 2026 NFL draft: LB Arvell Reese, S Caleb Downs, and LB Sonny Styles. It is possible that both linebackers are off the board before the Browns current first pick, but we are early in the draft process. The only certainty, seemingly, at this point is that QB Fernando Mendoza will be selected with the first pick.<\/p>\n Rumors started to pick up on Wednesday that Monken and Berry, perhaps in that order, would be very tempted to select Reese or Downs, in that order, with the sixth overall pick. Styles may be in that group as well, but he was not mentioned by sources in multiple discussions.<\/p>\n The idea of pairing Reese with Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger behind the stellar defensive line led by DE Myles Garrett would be highly problematic for opposing offenses. Reese showed the ability to make plays in the backfield while also dropping into space with his electric physical gifts. Buckeyes DC Matt Patricia used former Cleveland LB Jamie Collins as a comparison for Reese.<\/p>\n Reese is excited about any opportunity he gets, but noted how joining the Browns could be extra special:<\/p>\n Due to positional value, Downs is more likely to be available when Cleveland selects. With new DC Mike Rutenberg, Cleveland\u2019s defense will need a free safety who can play deep more regularly<\/a> than what DC Jim Schwartz did. Downs had a great two years at Ohio State, but was not used in that role often, which leads to some projection on what he could become at the NFL level as a pure free safety.<\/p>\n