The Cleveland Browns have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but have plenty of holes to address.
Cleveland could look to draft a quarterback early, or could also draft some offensive line and wide receiver help. However, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes Cleveland’s ideal draft scenario is trading out of the sixth overall pick to get more assets.
“That the first five picks provide an opportunity for Berry and the Browns to trade back from No. 6 to add at least one extra premium pick. This year or next year,” Jackson wrote on the Browns’ best-case scenario. “It’s not just that the Browns have more needs that can realistically be filled with pick Nos. 6, 24 and 39.
“It’s that their current roster is so lopsided that it would be tough to justify taking a defensive player, even if a defensive player is clearly the best available when they’re on the clock. A trade down would provide the team flexibility and at least one more swing at trying to land a true difference-maker.”
With how many holes the Browns have, Jackson believes getting more picks in the first two rounds will help them out. So, trading out of the sixth overall pick could very well be the move to allow the Browns more chances to land impact rookies.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland has nine picks, including four in the first two days.
Browns Mocked to Trade With Cowboys
Although Cleveland could draft an impact player at sixth overall, the Browns have been linked to trading out of the pick.
In the latest NFL mock drafts, multiple analysts had mocked Cleveland to trade the sixth overall pick to the Dallas Cowboys.
Draft guru Dane Brugler of The Athletic had the Browns pulling off a blockbuster deal with the Cowboys.
“I did have picks 12 and 20 going to the Browns at 6, for picks 6 and 39,” Brugler said on the “Reception Perception” podcast. “For the Cowboys, I think it makes sense because they’re going up to 6, to get—they’re not going to wait until 12 and hope the guy they want falls to them. They’re going up to 6 to get him. And it costs you both first-round picks but you go back into the second round now because they currently don’t have a second-round pick.”
Along with Brugler, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN also had the Cowboys trading up to sixth overall in his latest mock draft. Kiper had the same return as Brugler noted, so where there is smoke, there is fire, and perhaps that is a trade that could very well get done on draft day.
Cleveland Eager for NFL Draft
The Browns enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a chance to add multiple impact players to the organization.
Ahead of the NFL Draft, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the organization is eager for it.
“Next week’s an exciting week for the organization,” Berry said. “We have a great opportunity to add a number of young players to the roster. It’s the culmination of 13, 14 long months of hard work.”
The Browns will be on the clock for the first time at 6th overall. But Cleveland could very well trade it away.
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