The discussion around the Cleveland Browns and their approach to the NFL draft has mostly centered on which offensive positions they intend to address. The need at left tackle is obvious, though whether there are left tackles worth drafting at No. 6–where the Browns pick first in two Thursdays, followed by a No. 24 pick–is debatable. The Browns probably could trade down in what is considered a defense-heavy top part of the NFL draft, and get a player they need.
But the Browns, like every franchise, vow to not draft for need. but to instead choose whichever player is the best on the board. If they stay with that philosophy, and truly prove it to be their approach, the Browns won’t take either a receiver or an offensive lineman at No. 6. They’ll probably take one of the Top 3 pass-rushers who are in this draft: Arvell Reese, David Bailey or Rueben Bain.
For a franchise that fielded a historically bad offense last season, while also fielding one of the best defenses in the NFL, that would be a shocking choice. But it would be the easiest way for the Browns to resolve their current draft questions.
Browns Failed to Add Edge Depth This Offseason
That’s the view from Dan Labbe, one of the Browns beat writers from Cleveland.com. The top players this year are defensive players, and instead of finding a way to squeeze a square peg (an offensive player) into a round hole (a defensive draft) at No. 6, maybe the Browns should just go with the flow and take say, David Bailey.
Labbe even wonders if the Browns are hinting that is what they intend to do. As he points out, the Browns’ biggest non-offensive line signing this offseason was former Bills pass rusher AJ Epenesa, whose contract was rescinded after he failed a physical.
Browns Could Shock With No. 6 in the NFL Draft
The roster suggests they could go back to that well if there is a star to be had at No. 6.
Writes Labbe: “Should we be talking about a pass rusher at No. 6? It’s not that crazy if you really look at where things stand.
Go Where the NFL Draft Leads You?
The possibility of the Browns selecting, say, Rueben Bain, looks a lot more plausible when you consider the words of GM Andrew Berry. Back in February, he looked at the landscape of this draft and foresaw that there could be some surprises.
Said Berry: “I think about a year ago at this time, I wouldn’t have guessed that the draft would have played out positionally the way that it did in 2025. You have to be flexible. You have to be adaptable in terms of where the player pool and where the talent pool is.
“I think the good thing about this coaching staff, really in all three phases, is they are very adaptable to using their best players. So, you have to be open to the fact that it may not look exactly the way that you’d envision it or that you’d hope that it would look coming out of it.”
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