The 2026 NFL Draft is almost upon us. In just over two weeks, the all of these prospects will find new homes in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns are hitting the reset button — with a new head coach and a complicated quarterback situation, Cleveland just needs to add talent and try and build a competitive offense again.
We’re in the heart of mock draft season, and those are good exercises to mimic how teams might approach the draft if the board falls in various ways. I’ve been scouting this class since last summer and it’s almost surreal to think they’ll be NFL players in just a few short weeks.
I’ll be conducting a three-round Browns-specific mock draft. This will be a predictive exercise using PFF’s simulator to project who will be available at each pick. The Browns have four picks in the top 100, thanks to the draft-day trade they made with the Jaguars last year that netted them an extra first-round pick.
Round 1, Pick 6: The Cleveland Browns Select Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
GettyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 21: Emory Williams #17 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates with teammate Francis Mauigoa #61 after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during overtime at Hard Rock Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Browns’ offensive line is in the process of being completely rebuilt. Cleveland is replacing all five starters from a year ago, a wholly unheard of situation. Mauigoa would be a massive injection of talent into that unit, with the flexibility to play tackle or guard. Long-term, Cleveland probably wants him at tackle, but he could start at guard if they feel better about their current options there.
The Browns also desperately need a receiver, and they could have taken any of Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State S Caleb Downs, USC WR Makai Lemon, or Texas Tech ED David Bailey. Mauigoa is a big talent jump from the offensive tackles who will still be on the board at No. 24, and they can add a quality receiver then.
Round 1, Pick 24: The Cleveland Browns Select Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.
GettyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The board fell perfectly for the Browns in this simulation. Cooper is a great pick here, with the upside to be a true number one option in an NFL offense. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands after the catch, can gain instant separation off the line with his releases, and is as reliable as they come over the middle of the field.
The Browns could also go with Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor, Washington WR Denzel Boston, or Clemson ED T.J. Parker. But it sounds like the Browns are planning on going into 2026 with Shedeur Sanders as the starting quarterback, and between Mauigoa and Cooper, Cleveland added some critical help for him in his second season.
Round 2, Pick 39: The Browns Select Georgia DT Christen Miller
The Browns will most likely go extremely heavy on offense in the draft, but Miller’s value here at No. 39 was simply too good to ignore. He’s a bulldozer against the run, single-handedly walling off multiple gaps, and he has solid pass rush production for his profile.
Round 3, Pick 70: The Browns Select Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge
To continue to rebuild their offensive line, here the Browns add Rutledge, a true mauler on the interior. The coaches at the Senior Bowl kept having to tell him to tone down his physicality — Cleveland will love his attitude and his play on the field.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Browns Snag ‘Critical’ Help for Shedeur Sanders in Latest Mock Draft appeared first on Heavy Sports.