Browns shake up NFL Draft board with big trade down in new mock draft
· Yahoo Sports
The Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 NFL Draft with two first round picks, but a new mock draft had them adding even more in a trade-down scenario.
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Sitting with the sixth pick in the draft, the Browns are in a position to continue to add assets in the future as they hunt for a quarterback of the future. That sixth pick might be a beautiful spot to sit as well, with the Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs sitting right behind them with defensive needs and an established quarterback on the roster.
This means that the top positional value on the board has a chance to fall right into their laps unless a team moves up for them. Some of the talent that could be targeted in a trade-up scenario include Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain, Texas Tech's David Bailey, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and potentially LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, as every team picking from pick No. 7 through pick No. 12 needs to upgrade cornerback position.
This may put the Browns in a powerful spot. In a new mock draft done by the Daft on Draft Podcast, the Browns take advantage of that power. It was the Miami Dolphins who moved up the board from the 11th overall pick in the draft, giving the Browns their additional first round pick acquired in the Jaylen Waddle trade.
So, with three first round picks in this mock draft, who did the Browns land?
Sitting now at pick No. 11, the Browns were still able to grab Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, who is often mocked to them at pick No. 6. Upgrading the rest of their offensive line in NFL free agency, the Browns add Freeling as the last piece of the puzzle in this mock draft.
Coming back on the clock with the 24th pick, the Browns then upgraded their wide receiver room, adding the big-bodied Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston. This is one position the Browns have yet to make any significant move with on the roster, and a position that needs to be overhauled in the worst possible way. Drafting Boston is the first step in the right direction.
Then, coming back on the clock with the 30th pick they received from Miami, the Browns then upgraded the quarterback position. They became the team to pull the trigger on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns shake up NFL Draft board with big trade down in new mock draft