The Cleveland Browns need an infusion of playmakers on offense, and one prominent draft analyst believes help is coming in the first round.
Cleveland’s offense sputtered throughout last season, finishing near the bottom of the NFL in most major statistical categories. The Browns ranked 29th in yards per game (262.1) and 31st in points per game (16.4), struggling to generate explosive plays or sustain drives.
A major issue was the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver, a void that became even more glaring as rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders rotated into the lineup. Without a reliable top receiver, Cleveland’s passing attack rarely threatened defenses.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. — who is a big fan of Sanders — believes the Browns will address that deficiency aggressively, projecting Cleveland to go all-in on offense with its first two selections.
Kiper Has Browns Adding Georgia’s Zachariah Branch
With pick No. 24 — which the Browns have from a trade during last year’s draft with the Jacksonville Jaguars — Kiper has Cleveland selecting Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch.
“No team saw less production from its wide receiver group in 2025 than the Browns. Their WR room totaled just 1,467 receiving yards, the lowest in the league and more than 100 yards shy of the next worst (the Jets),” Kiper said. “The Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,793 yards) and the Rams‘ Puka Nacua (1,715) each cleared that number on their own! You get the point: Cleveland has to go get a pass catcher.
“Branch is smaller at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but he’s electric. No one can catch him when he gets into space, and he has the ability to turn a quick pass into a big gain. Branch had 81 catches for 811 yards and six scores this past season.”
Cleveland is not fully committed to Sanders as its long-term answer at quarterback. Sanders started seven games as a rookie, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Still, the Browns could opt to give him another opportunity — this time with a significantly improved supporting cast — before making a definitive decision at the position.
Browns Also Projected to Beef Up Offensive Line
With the No. 6 overall pick in Kiper latest mock draft, the Cleveland Browns are projected to select Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano — a move that would address one of the roster’s most pressing needs.
The Browns could be facing significant turnover along the offensive line, with Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin and Ethan Pocic all slated to hit free agency. Dawand Jones is currently the lone projected returner, but the massive tackle is coming off a season-ending knee injury that limited him to just three games in 2025.
“The Browns had an amazing 2025 draft, and they can kick things off in 2026 with a versatile tackle,” Kiper said. “Over 37 career games — 36 starts — Fano allowed just four sacks, and the most recent came in Week 1 of the 2024 season. He played on both sides at Utah, and he has the size, power and technique to excel at either tackle spot.”
Kiper added that Cleveland’s free-agent uncertainty up front makes the pick a logical fit.
“Cam Robinson and Jack Conklin are both free agents, so I could see Cleveland pairing Fano with Dawand Jones — who is returning from a knee injury — and trying to improve its middle-of-the-road pass protection,” Kiper said.
Shoring up the offensive line is expected to be a top priority for the Browns heading into next season. Cleveland struck gold in the 2025 draft with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, but protecting the quarterback will be essential if the offense is going to take the next step.
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