In addition, the Browns\u2019 offensive line underwent an offseason overhaul the likes of which we haven\u2019t seen since the Kansas City Chiefs parted out their entire front five in 2022 following their Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gone are guards Joel Bitonio (likely retired<\/a>) and Wyatt Teller (signed with the Houston Texans<\/a>), center Ethan Pocic, and tackle Jack Conklin; in come guards Zion Johnson and the re-signed Tevin Jenkins, center Elgton Jenkins, and tackle Tytus Howard. We\u2019ll see how it all goes, but at least there\u2019s some talent there, and the team was proactive regarding the inevitable.<\/p>\n Some things do remain, of course. GM Andrew Berry is still valiantly trying to maintain a salary cap that has Deshaun Watson hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles (2027 can\u2019t come soon enough<\/a>), the defense is still relatively packed with estimable talent, and the quarterback situation is still as undefined as it\u2019s seemingly been since the days of Brian Sipe and the Kardiac Kids.<\/p>\n Now that the big moves in NFL free agency are in the rearview, it\u2019s time for Berry, Monken, and everybody else in the building to turn their attention to the draft. How can these guys get the most out of a draft that will go a long way to defining what appears to be a murky, blurry future at this point in time? Armed with my own amateur tape study, a bunch of fancy numbers, and the PFF Mock Draft Simulator<\/a>, here are my humble suggestions based on the draft capital the team has right now.<\/p>\n Round 1, Pick 6 (6): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a catch for a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Grace Smith\/IndyStar \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n So\u2026 here\u2019s where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Do the Browns select the Best Offensive Lineman Available at 6 if none of the guys are pitched that high from a talent perspective? Maybe they try to trade down and grab Spencer Fano or Monroe Freeling or Francis Mauigoa or whomsoever they might like most?<\/p>\n Both are understandable options, and if the Browns were to take a franchise-defining tackle with the sixth pick, I\u2019m sure that most people in the greater Cleveland area wouldn\u2019t be too bummed out about it. But in this case, I\u2019m giving Browns quarterback (YOUR NAME HERE) his new No. 1 receiver. Because with the O-line moves the team made in free agency, I would say that receiver is the greatest need on the team right now (outside of the guy throwing the ball to said receiver), and I\u2019m solving that with Carnell Tate.<\/p>\n On most any other team, Tate would be recognized as a guy who can move all over the formation, and really does have legitimate X-iso traits. Problem was, Tate was working with Jeremiah Smith, and when you\u2019re standing next to a \u201cgenerational\u201d player, you might get a bit lost in the shuffle. I\u2019ve seen the 6\u2019 2\u00bc\u201d, 192-pound Tate referred to as an ideal \u201dZ\u201d receiver, which means that he\u2019s your No. 2 guy. Maybe Tate is the No. 2 guy when Jeremiah Smith is No. 1, but how many Jeremiah Smiths are there?<\/p>\n Last season, Tate caught 51 passes on 66 targets for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. Not exactly OMG stats, but when you watch the tape, and you put Tate in a receiver room that\u2019s a big box of meh right now, it\u2019s clear that he becomes Todd Monken\u2019s force multiplier in the passing game, and that\u2019s what the Browns need.<\/p>\n (From Jacksonville Jaguars) Round 1, Pick 24 (24): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, Toledo<\/p>\n Dec 23, 2025; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) celebrates a third down stop against the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter of the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images Jeff Romance-Imagn Images<\/p>\n One thing that very few people wanted to see happen was Jim Schwartz\u2019s decision to walk away from his defensive coordinator position after the regime change took place. If you talk to offensive coaches around the league, they\u2019ll tell you that few DCs keep them up at night trying to figure out counters more than Schwartz does \u2014 Monken even referred to that in his introductory presser when he said that \u201cIt\u2019s been a b*tch, I apologize, to go against his defense six times over the last three years.\u201d<\/p>\n That said, it\u2019s now up to Mike Rutenberg to call this defense and try to approximate the challenges Schwartz brought. One thing that would help would be one of the new do-it-all defensive backs who can win in the box, in the slot, and in the deep third. From Kyle Hamilton to Brian Branch to Nick Emmanwori, these players are the NFL\u2019s new Most Cherished Thing, and it\u2019s easy to see why when they allow you to run light boxes and two-high coverage without getting gashed in the run game.<\/p>\n This draft has three \u201cunicorns\u201d who could go in the first round: Ohio State\u2019s Caleb Downs, Oregon\u2019s Dillon Thieneman, and Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Of the three, I believe that McNeil-Warren has the most range from the box out to the slot or back to the deep third, and if strength of competition concerns have him here with the 24th pick, I wouldn\u2019t hesitate. Last season, the 6\u2019 3\u00bd\u201d, 201-pound McNeill-Warren had 43 solo tackles, 18 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, and five total pressures. In coverage, he allowed six catches on 15 targets for 116 yards, 50 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 50.3.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no knock on Rutenberg to say that the Browns might not have the schematic advantages they did with Schwartz, at least at the beginning, so you want to shore up these potential issues with personnel. McNeil-Warren would be a great equalizer.<\/p>\n Round 2, Pick 7 (39): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama<\/p>\n PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide calls out instructions in the second quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n When asked about his quarterback situation at the scouting combine, Todd Monken had this to say:<\/p>\n \u201cYou would hope that by the time you get to training camp that the reps that you\u2019re giving to a quarterback is for your starter. Whether we get to that place, I don\u2019t know. That\u2019ll be determined in the offseason as part of it. It\u2019s just another part of the piece\u2026 I don\u2019t mean that saying it harshly, but I don\u2019t think there\u2019s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, \u2018Boy, we haven\u2019t started our quarterback yet,\u2018 whether internally or externally.\u201d<\/p>\n Anytime a coach says in February that he\u2019d like his quarterback situation resolved by training camp, that\u2019s several red flags unfurled at the same time.<\/p>\n Monken has espoused an open competition for that position, and you know how it is \u2014 a new head coach will want at least one quarterback he likes, as opposed to those he may have inherited. Monken was also open to bringing in an outsider to compete for reps, and this is where someone like Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson could come in.<\/p>\n Because on the surface, Simpson seems to have it all on the ball, especially for a guy who only started one year in college. In 2025 for the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-1 \u215b\u201d, 211-pound Simpson completed 306 of 474 passes for 3,561 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 102.5. He also ran the ball 70 times for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 26 of 62 passes of 20 or more air yards last season for 784 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, and a passer rating of 101.2, and when under pressure, he managed 58 of 111 passes for 703 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 75.0. Now when blitzed, Simpson was amazing \u2014 121 completions in 208 attempts for 1,409 yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 95.6. He also adds functionality to one\u2019s offense as a runner on designed runs and scrambles, and he\u2019s very good outside the pocket.<\/p>\n I recently did a longer-form video about my concerns regarding Simpson\u2019s NFL future, but I also don\u2019t think that any of the things he needs to work on are unmanageable \u2014 they just require more coaching. And that\u2019s something that Monken can certainly do.<\/p>\n Round 3, Pick 6 (70): Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn<\/p>\n WACO, TX – AUGUST 29: Defensive End Keyron Crawford #24 of the Auburn Tigers holds up the number one sign after a sack during the college football game between Baylor Bears and Auburn Tigers on August, 29, 2025, at McLane Stadium in Waco, TX. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Wait. You\u2019re bypassing O-line help in the third round for an edge-rusher? What kind of idiot are you, Farrar? Well, yes. Again, it\u2019s important to look at the needs after the Browns redefined their offensive line pre-draft, and where other holes are that must be filled. Because while the Browns do have the NFL\u2019s best edge defender in Alex Wright (just kidding; we all know it\u2019s Isaiah McGuire), there\u2019s a need for somebody to come in and bookend that Myles Garrett guy so that Garrett can finally live up to his NFL potential.<\/p>\n Har-de-har-har. Well, here\u2019s a guy I would love to see on the other side of No. 95 from time to time \u2014 Auburn\u2019s Keyron Crawford. In 2025, the 6\u2019 4\u201d, 253-pound Crawford amassed five sacks, 43 total pressures, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and 23 solo tackles with 24 stops. Like a lot of guys in this draft class on both sides of the line, Crawford will get dinged for his arm length by some (32\u201d, eighth percentile for edge defenders since 1999<\/a>), but it\u2019s not something you really see on tape to a ridiculous degree, and the adaptive strategies are already in place.<\/p>\n Round 4, Pick 7 (107): Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana<\/p>\n Lions Kaleb Proctor 2, LSU Tigers take on the Southeastern Louisiana. Sept 20, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. SCOTT CLAUSE \/ USATODAY Network \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Now, this is a case where I\u2019m not really looking for need as much as I\u2019m seeing one of MY GUYS at 107, and simply pulling the trigger. Because Kaleb Proctor has been one of my favorite prospects to evaluate in this class. Maybe it\u2019s my bias for smaller interior defensive linemen that goes all the way back to John Randle, but when I watch the 6\u20192\u201d, 291-pound Proctor beating the living daylights out of opposing blockers from multiple gaps, and jumping those gaps like some sort of radioactive tarantula, I\u2019m all the way in.<\/p>\n In 2025, Proctor had nine sacks, 39 total pressures, 18 solo tackles, 22 stops, and two tackles for loss, while lining up everywhere from nose shade to over the tackles. Proctor then tested right out of the damned building at the combine<\/a>. I would love to see him perform his special brand of stunt-fu on any NFL defensive line, so why not this one?<\/p>\n (From Las Vegas Raiders) Round 5, Pick 1 (141): Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati<\/p>\n STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 18: Wide receiver Cyrus Allen #4 of the Cincinnati Bearcats scores his second touchdown on a 14-yard run against safety Parker Robertson #8 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys to start the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cincinnati won 49-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Okay, so. The Browns now have Carnell Tate to add to a group that already includes (checks notes) Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond\u2026<\/p>\n And while we\u2019re thinking of offensive line, another thing that helps keep your quarterback upright is a cabal of receivers who know how to get open at the right time.<\/p>\n What you\u2019re hearing in the background is Cyrus Allen\u2019s music. Turn it up.<\/p>\n Last season for the Bearcats, the 5\u201911\u201d, 180-pound Allen caught 49 passes on 69 targets for 661 yards and 12 touchdowns. Perfectly cromulent numbers, but when you watch his tape, that\u2019s where the buzz begins. Because especially on his 12 explosive receptions, Allen has the route awareness and understanding of how to get open that you\u2019d expect from a five-year NFL veteran. Allen can speed up or slow down to adjust to ball velocity and flight (an important skill in his college offense, as it would be were he to join the Browns), and the second-level acceleration really stands out. Yes, he did most of his work in the slot, but it\u2019s not that he can\u2019t play outside \u2014 it\u2019s more that Cincinnati had the 6\u20195\u201d, 216-pound Jeff Caldwell doing all of his superhero stuff there<\/a>.<\/p>\n Getting open is an alpha skill. The Browns need more of it. Cyrus Allen can do it all day. Case closed.<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 6 (146): Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State<\/p>\n PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 29: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball as Jacobie Henderson #10 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights attempts to tackle him during the second half at SHI Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n With Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson as their primary running backs, the Browns are pretty set at the position as regards depth and variety. That\u2019s true as long as Judkins stays healthy, and he\u2019s fully on the mend from the dislocated ankle he suffered last December. When it comes to power backs who specialize in blunt force trauma, adding to the group is never a bad thing.<\/p>\n Which is why Penn State\u2019s Nicholas Singleton would be a nice bargain pick in the fifth round. 2025 was a bit of a down year for Singleton after he totaled more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three seasons (768 yards and 14 touchdowns on 147 touches is still decent), and Singleton still had a lot of big plays even as Kaytron Allen became the alpha dog in the Nittany Lions\u2019 run game. At 6\u20190\u201d and 219 pounds, Singleton still forced an impressive 59 missed tackles on his 124 carries, and 13 rushing touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. Moreover, he shoots out of the backfield like a rocket, and he\u2019s got that bruising style every offense needs.<\/p>\n Not that Singleton is going to be Derrick Henry or anything, but you\u2019d think that Monken would appreciate another big back with some serious acceleration.<\/p>\n (From Cincinnati Bengals) Round 5, Pick 9 (149): Isaiah World, OT, Oregon<\/p>\n EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 25: Offensive lineman Isaiah World #76 of the Oregon Ducks prepares for a play during the second half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ali Gradischer\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n At last, we address the offensive line.<\/p>\n Were Oregon left tackle Isaiah World fully healthy coming into his draft year, he\u2019d probably be on the periphery of the first and second rounds. That\u2019s what happens when guys standing 6\u20198 and weighing 318 pounds allow one sack and 18 total pressures in 437 pass-blocking reps as World did last season, and further prove able to stone dudes in the run game.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the torn left ACL World suffered in Oregon\u2019s playoff loss to Indiana will put his NFL future on hold for a while. Maybe he doesn\u2019t need an entire redshirt year to hit the field again, but that\u2019s not out of the question. And that\u2019s how you get a first- or second-day talent this late \u2014 you\u2019re betting on hope to a point. Were it to work out, and World was to bone up on a few technique fixes in the meantime, he does have the look of a franchise tackle at his best. Spackling things together in the meantime wouldn\u2019t be the worst thing in the\u2026 World.<\/p>\n (From Chicago Bears) Round 6, Pick 25 (206): Dae\u2019Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss<\/p>\n GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 08: Dae\u2019quan Wright #8 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch for a touchdown defended by Jaboree Antoine #16 of the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Last season, Monken\u2019s Ravens offense ranked third in percentage of 12 personnel \u2014 one running back, two tight ends, and two receivers\u2014 at 36%. Guess who ranked first at 44%? That would be your very own Cleveland Browns. And when in 12 personnel, your very own Cleveland Browns completed 137 of 227 passes for 1,205 yards, 10 touchdowns, a league-high nine interceptions, and a passer rating of 74.8 \u2014 the NFL\u2019s third-worst, ahead of only the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Texans.<\/p>\n Just because you do something over and over doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re automatically good at it. Maybe Malcolm Gladwell should re-think that whole 10,000 hours thing<\/a>. Anyway, in service of better play and more efficiency, perhaps it would behoove the Browns to add juice their tight end group behind Harold Fannin, now that David Njoku has been cast to the four winds.<\/p>\n In that department, I present one of the more underrated tight ends in this class \u2014 Ole Miss\u2019s Dae\u2019Quan Wright. Last season, the 6\u20194\u201d, 246-pound Wright caught 39 passes on 55 targets for 635 yards and five touchdowns, and like Cyrus Allen, Wright can get open more often than not. He\u2019s more of a big receiver than a true do-it-all tight end as a blocker, but hey \u2014 if the Browns are going to run a crapload of 12 personnel, that \u201c2\u201d has to mean something.<\/p>\n (From Seattle Seahawks) Round 7, Pick 32 (248): Keagen Trost, OL, Missouri<\/p>\n COLUMBIA, MO – OCTOBER 11: Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Keagen Trost (79) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Noah Carter (24) in the fourth quarter of an SEC football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Another get for the offensive line, and Keagen Trost is an interesting player. At 6\u20195\u201d and 311 pounds, and with 32\u215c\u201d arms that are fifth percentile among offensive tackles since 1999<\/a>, Trost allowed just one sack and seven total pressures at right tackle in 432 pass-rushing reps.<\/p>\n Where Trost\u2019s future spot gets fascinating is that he played \u201cinside tackle\u201d when the Tigers went with six offensive linemen last season, which they did from time to time, and when Trost did kick inside to guard a bit, he showed a lot of toughness and resolve. In the run game, this goy doesn\u2019t just want to block you; he wants to embarrass you, take your lunch money, and steal your girl as the closing credits roll.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not automatically banishing Trost from of a future at tackle in the NFL because of his short arms; this could be more of a swing lineman who gives the Browns some positional flexibility as they try to put all the pieces together up front.<\/p>\n How does this mock draft sit with you, dear readers? Fire away in the comments below.<\/p>\n![\"Ohio](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/imagn-27760711.jpg\"\/)
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