The Cleveland Browns have been the most vocal entertainers of a blockbuster trade that would move them outside of the top 10, and a strong potential partner has emerged in the final days leading up to the NFL draft.
Cleveland has plenty of draft capital already, but GM Andrew Berry said earlier this week that the Browns are willing to entertain trade proposals so as to “maximize the asset.”
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions are about to break the bank on multiple contract extensions for elite players from the 2023 class on both sides of the football, which makes a monster swing in this year’s draft a logical win-now move.
The Browns are most interested in acquiring a wide receiver and an offensive tackle in Round 1, per the vast majority of reports. By giving up the No. 6 overall pick, Cleveland may take itself out of the mix for a top pass-catcher like Carnell Tate out of Ohio State.
However, the receiver class is strong and deep at the top of the 2026 draft, and the Browns might look to a tackle first anyway.
Thus, there is an argument that the team can best maximize its top asset by flipping it for pick Nos. 17 and 50 from Detroit in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, then looking for value at tackle and receiver in whatever order makes most sense with selections at 17 and 24 in the opening round.
That move would also add while pick No. 50 to Cleveland’s arsenal in Round 2, where the team already holds the 40th overall selection.
Lions Profile as Team Looking to Trade Up in NFL Draft
GettyDetroit Lions GM Brad Holmes.
Mina Kimes and Field Yates of ESPN on Friday, April 17 discussed Detroit as one of the most likely teams to move up next Thursday night and pursue either a pass-rusher and offensive tackle.
Yates noted that Lions GM Brad Holmes has traded up a total of 11 times since taking over Detroit’s front office in 2021.
“I think one of the reasons the Lions make a lot of sense as a trade up team this year is that they aren’t afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, and this is a team that does not want to have a season like last year, where they were on the outside looking in at the playoffs,” Yates said. “They need to get better in a hurry amongst that pass-rushing group. Wouldn’t surprise me if they move on up.”
Browns Uniquely Positioned to Benefit From Draft Trade
GettyCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
Kimes noted that the Miami Dolphins at No. 11 are also a potential trade partner for Detroit if offensive tackle is the Lions’ goal, which adds further credence to the notion that the Browns can move outside the top 10 and potentially still get excellent value.
Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach said earlier this week that he expects a lot of movement and excitement on draft night, with generally higher-graded prospects potentially falling into the middle and later portions of Round 1.
“I think that the fans will be in for a treat next Thursday” Veach said. “I think the grades are gonna be so close from some of these tackles and [defensive] ends and receivers that a lot of these guys that are mocked high may go a little lower, and a lot of these guys that are getting mocked a little lower may go a little higher.”
That puts Cleveland in a particularly advantageous position given the Browns’ specific needs and their status as one of just a few franchises with multiple first-round picks and/or one inside the top 10.
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