For any NFL mock draft, there is a bit of educated guesswork melded with reporting n rumors and projections, so that by the time we get close to the actual event itself, the experts and draft gurus are usually saying things that at least resemble each other. But you hardly even get the same educated guess, across the board–except when it comes to the Cleveland Browns here in 2026.
On Wednesday, an odd occurrence took place in which three of the most prominent mock-draft experts came out with their latest predictions for the 2026 NFL draft, and all three predict that the Browns will trade out of their No. 6 pick down to No. 12 with the Dallas Cowboys. Two of the mocks have them also adding the 20th pick in the first round and dealing their second-round pick to Dallas, at No. 39 overall.
Again, the notion of this trade has been bandied about for weeks now, and mock drafts are projections, not reports. But to see all three of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Ringer’s Todd McShay and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler plug in the same pick swap between the Cowboys and Browns must mean that this is not just smoke, that there is some fire to a potential deal.
Browns Seeking Offensive Help in NFL Draft
The logic is there for a Browns team that badly needs to bulk up at multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball. A deal with the Cowboys would allow Cleveland to make three first-round picks.
As it stands, the Browns have picks No. 6, No. 24 and No. 39 in the second round, and the No. 6 pick does not necessarily suit them–there are mostly defensive players at the top of this draft, and Cleveland has one of the best defensive units in the NFL. The Browns would prefer to move down and take receivers and offensive linemen, which are mostly slotted in the mid-to-late first round.
By adding No. 6, the Cowboys, who badly need a defensive star, can take Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. It seems, everyone wins.
GettyThe Cleveland Browns could land receiver Denzel Boston after a trade in the NFL Draft.
Browns Could Wind Up With 3 First-Rounders
In his mock draft, Kiper has the Browns still taking Kadyn Proctor from Alabama as a young tackle the team can develop. They then scoop up Denzel Boston, the Washington receiver, and potential star corner Jermod McCoy, whom Kiper predicts to drop all the way to 24.
Brugler seems the Browns adding Utah’s Spencer Fano to bolster the offensive line, and then going with receiver KC Concepcion from Texas A&M, and another defensive back at 24–Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo.
McShay saw the trade as the Browns trading No. 6 for No. 12, plus No. 92 (a third-rounder) and a 2027 second-round pick.
NFL Draft Trade Tabbed ‘Fun’
Kiper called the Browns-Cowboys trade, “fun.”
He wrote: “Let’s have some fun here. Dallas and Cleveland each have two first-round picks coming into the draft, which gives those front offices some ability to maneuver. With an elite prospect still on the board, I have Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calling up Browns general manager Andrew Berry to try to make something happen.
“In this scenario, Dallas would trade pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39. That means the Browns suddenly have three first-round picks. And it means the Cowboys can add … Sonny Styles.”
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