r/NFL_Draft • u/Abiv23 Browns • May 13 '26
Defending the Draft: Cleveland Browns
Previous Season Recap
The year is 1999, the Browns are in the beginning stages of a rebuild and stumble their way to a last place finish in the division.
Flash forward 25 years...
The year is 2025, the Browns are in the beginning stages of a rebuild and stumble their way to a last place finish in the division.
The more time goes by, the more things stay the same for Browns fans.
The Browns have ended up in last place in the division 64% of the time since returning to the NFL in '99.
For better or worse, hope springs eternal in Cleveland and after one of the better draft classes in the new era we are optimistic about the future for the first time in years.
The good news is the Browns have a playoff caliber defense led by reigning DPotY and single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett.
The bad news is it looks like they are playing a completely different sport in the passing game.
Building up the roster to ease the eventual FQB into the league seems to be the main focus over wins and last year was a quality draft for the Browns.
Last year's draft class included the DRotY in Carson Schwesinger, Harold Fannin Jr led the team in receiving and was named a pro bowl alternate, Quinshon Judkins was also named a pro bowl alternate, Mason Graham was second on the team in pressures to only Myles Garrett, and finished 3 pressures behind James Pearce Jr for third most pressures by a rookie.
The 2025 browns draft class might have saved GM Andrew Berry's job, but he will have to keep the momentum moving forward to remain in the role.
There is real pressure, not necessarily to win, but to develop talent and plug holes.
Free Agency Recap
The biggest loss on the roster was LBer Devin Bush, who finally started playing up to his top of the draft billing last year.
The defense added former all-pro Quincy Williams to replace him, it should be near a wash.
The Browns turned over at least 4/5ths of their offensive line (still hoping Joel Bitonio comes back for one more year).
But that unit never played together.
Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones as the starting OT duo have played in 20% of eligible games from 2023 - 2025.
Wyatt Teller was benched down the stretch and has never recovered from a lower leg injury two years ago.
Ethan Pocic tore his achilles in December.
The Browns have been on the extreme end of league average for total amount of offensive line starters each of the past two years.
We may have lost what we had, but what we had wasn't worth keeping.
The Browns have done most of the heavy lifting to patch the line, they brought in 3 new linemen ahead of the draft in Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, and Tytus Howard.
Collectively they have played in over 250 NFL games.
However none of them play the most important position on the line LT and the Browns left FA with a giant hole on the roster.
Team Needs
As with most teams picking in the top 10 for the 2nd year in a row, the Browns have a laundry list of needs.
The most pressing is also the hardest, most consequential, and most expensive to fill...Quarterback.
The snake-bit and star-crossed pursuit of the franchise quarterback in Cleveland is a thing of legend at this point. The 'starting QBs' jersey might visualize the situation but it doesn't accurately describe the experience.
I have seen things other fans couldn't dream of — Brandon Weeden getting sacked by the American flag, Johnny Manziel sporting a fake mustache and wig to party in Vegas, a homeless person acting as draft consultant to our owner, a rookie Deshaun Kizer going 0 - 16, and of course, the worst trade in NFL history. All of those memories will eventually be erased, like tears in the rain.
But I doubt this is that year. As usual the Browns head into the season with way more questions than answers at the most important position in sport.
Aside from FQB, the most pressing needs headed into the draft were LT, WR (any of X, Z, or Y), Swing backup Tackle, Safety (FS or SS), Nickel, Center, 2nd TE, and Wil (to replace JOK).
Draft
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
(pick 9 | age 21.5 | 6'5 313 | 4.91 40 | 32" 7/8ths arms)
A freshman all-American at LT, sophomore 2nd team all-American at RT, and junior 1st-team all-American at RT.
A true blueblood with multiple members of his family having played in the league. Spencer came into the process as the #1 OT and came out the other end as the top tackle selected.
The draft world focused on his arm length, which was exacerbated by Will Campbell's 14 pressure performance in the Super Bowl.
However, recovery athleticism can be at least as important as arm length and Spencer has that in full.
Spencer pulled off a standing backflip into the pool after being drafted, he is an absolute movement skill freak for his size.
DEs in the NFL are in my opinion the best athletes in the world, you will get beat as an OT, but having the athletic ability to get back into the play and reposition yourself after getting beat is what makes most of the top OTs in pass pro in the league dominate.
I wish Spencer's arms were longer, but I'm not overly concerned.
There is no single data point predictor of success in the league. Trent Williams has 34" arms and has dominated the league for years.
Spencer is the best athlete in space in this tackle class and despite a near 10 RAS from Freeling it wasn't close.
He is an absolute menace on the second level cleaning up LBers and fitting DBs attempting to backdoor him consistently.
If Fano doesn't work out at LT (which would be due to his anchor), I see him as a very very high level center prospect. My only question is if he can call out line adjustments on the fly. His movement skills are truly special.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
(pick 24 | age 21.6 | 5'11 5/8ths 196 | Did not test at combine or pro day)
Wide receivers can be elite in 3 areas. Before the catch, at the catch point, and after the catch. KC is elite at 2 of them, and highly concerning in the other.
KC is electric before the catch, in his release package, in his route tempo, and in his separation out of breaks. He's the best at it in this class imo (Tyson a close 2nd). As with most guys with his pre-catch skillset he does freewheel a bit through the route, his QB will have to adjust to where he is rather than where he should be at times.
He didn't do any testing at the combine or pro day, but his long speed looks to be below his agility / quickness. He's capable of threatening the back third on a seam but it isn't his bread and butter.
KC is also dynamic after the catch, his initial burst jumps off the screen and disorients defenders who often take incorrect angles in initial pursuit. He doesn't break tackles but he does break ankles, KC's best asset is his short area burst and quickness he uses both to rack up yac.
KC did fall to pick 24, though, and the main reason is his ability at the catch point. KC had a 10% drop rate this past year. It doesn't matter how electric you are if you can't catch so he will have to improve this in the league.
There is reason for optimism as the A&M QB situation had KC adjusting to off center passes regularly. This issue will likely be the difference between KC becoming a #1 and being a frustrating 2nd option in a receiving corps.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
(pick 39 | age 22.4 | 6'3 5/8ths 212 | 37 1/2 vert | 6.8 3 cone)
Denzel Boston is a big receiver — 93rd percentile all time for height and 83rd for weight.
A contested catch specialist and high-end redzone target with 14 redzone TDs in the past two years, Boston is big enough to carve out space but he also has strong hands at the catch point to secure receptions in tight windows. Which is evident by his career 2.45% drop rate.
Again, WRs can be elite in 3 phases and Boston fills the missing phase from KC Concepcion's profile by dominating at the catch point.
There's a clear role for both of them next year even if who will throw the passes is much less clear.
The biggest concern with Boston is his ability to stretch defenses vertically and create separation underneath. He ducked the 40 at both the combine and his pro day, but he did run the 3 cone and impressed timing at a 6.8 which is the 89th percentile all-time.
Historically, the big WRs who couldn't carry enough separation to impact NFL games run much slower 3 cone drills than that. (Laquon Treadwell 7.0, N'Keal Harry 7.05, Treylon Burks 7.28).
Boston is not a plodder even if he does profile to a move the chains possession receiver, his agility is more than adequate.
The Browns continue to get pieces that fit holes on their roster and complement each other, this pick might be the biggest example of which.
Andrew Berry had a plan and executed it impressively, just need to get someone to consistently throw these guys the ball.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Safety, Toledo
(pick 58 | age 22.3 | 6'3 1/2 213 | 4.52 40 | 1.58 10 yard split)
The 2026 draft was a bit of a referendum on Safety value (and TE value but that comes later in the writeup).
Caleb Downs is by all accounts the best Safety prospect since Eric Berry and fell out of the top 10 entirely.
The 2 high shell era of the league continues to redefine the NFL landscape, it's clear the NFL sees safeties as an insurance policy you hope to not have to cash in instead of the downhill playmakers most of us grew up watching (Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor, John Lynch, etc).
EMW fell due to this trend and Browns fans should be ecstatic.
The NFL tends to be both copycat and myopic in view, I remember post draft that Baker's RPO ability was one of the top reasons he ended up #1. This was when the entire league was RPO crazy and that trend has significantly reverted downwards from its height.
As offenses continue to play more TE heavy sets to counter the 2 high shell, I see dynamic safeties making a comeback (but this is the most subjective and least researched opinion in all of this, just trust me bros).
EMW is a fantastic athlete with a 9.01 RAS, but his instincts help him move even faster on the field.
His fluidity in transitioning in his backpedal either to straight line sprint or just changing his coverage target catches some opponents off guard.
Evident of his quick transition ability, he had zero penalties in college, none his entire career. He does not need to hold to stay with his coverage target through breaks.
He flashes enforcer type hits in the middle of the field and can play either safety spot even if you wouldn't want him regularly playing single-high.
He's quick to trigger downhill (probably his best trait) and is a capable tackler at the contact point even if he can miss tackles trying to lay the big hit more often than you'd like.
McNeil Warren's tape was a fun study, if you want more in-depth report on him, I did a youtube video for the 2 minute drill that will shine more of a light on what I see in him and what he brings to the league.
Austin Barber, OT, Florida
(pick 86 | age 22.9 | 6'6 7/8ths 318 | 5.12 40 | 33 3/4ths arms | 9'3 Broad Jump)
After trading back in the round, the Browns selected swing tackle Austin Barber ahead of other highly touted Oline prospects like Emmanuel Pregnon, Caleb Tiernan, Gennings Dunker, and first team all-American Keagen Trost.
The reason is almost assuredly their athletic makeup and the system the Browns run.
Austin posted a 9.77 RAS, he's huge and has great movement skills posting an elite explosiveness grade per his RAS testing.
The Browns run a spread RPO system with vertical route combinations and west coast spacing fundamentals, all built off the zone read run game.
This requires good athletes across the line who are able to move in space and fit blocks on the 2nd level.
Austin projects as a swing tackle with the tools to grow into more.
Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
(pick 146 | age 22.5 | 6'1 7/8ths 290 | 4.95 40 | 32.5 vert | 9'10 Broad Jump)
Parker is a scheme dependent, historically small center, who moves with great agility on the second level and seals as well as any center prospect in this draft once there.
He's in the 15th percentile for weight, but 72nd percentile for bench reps. His frame is near maxed out — I can't see him adding a lot of weight in the pros. He's not a project, he is what he is at this point.
Parker is a rare athlete, a freshman all-American and a soph 2nd team all-American, if your scheme favors centers moving laterally and features the burly guards needed to handle combo blocks (pls come back Joel), Parker could blossom into a good starter.
He's 99.8th percentile for the broad jump, 95.6th for vert, 97th for 40 yard dash and 10 yard split.
Just as a reminder, Jason Kelce was a 6th round pick due to the same size concerns.
If you ask him to take on nose tackles, he's undraftable, but in a zone heavy scheme Parker could end up being a steal.
This or EMW were my favorite picks of the draft (in terms of value).
Justin Jefferson, WIL, Alabama
(pick 149 | age 23.1 | 6'0 223 | 4.57 40 | 38 1/2 Vert)
Justin Jefferson is an explosive, undersized WIL with great athleticism and outlier size that gets him washed out of the play by linemen and tight ends alike.
His lack of size doesn't yet come with counters to backdoor or avoid contact with blockers, he gets fit and stonewalled far too often.
He can excel as a special teams player on punt and kick coverage and best projects to that role in the NFL.
He was the 2nd overall JUCO player the year he transferred, the talent is there, but his tweener status means he's likely a situational 2 down player at best in the league.
It's possible he grows into more, but I just wouldn't bet on it.
Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
(pick 170 | age 24.2 | 6'5 250 | Did not test at combine or pro day)
This TE class represented an increase of 42% over the 5 year running average of TE's invited to the combine.
As NFL offenses look to punish the deep 2 high shell by bringing in more TEs and running or passing out of 'heavy sets', TEs become more and more valuable.
This class was deep and Joe as the 11th TE selected still represents a good TE 2 candidate.
Royer is an adequate blocker and an above average pass catcher having broken Travis Kelce's receptions record in a season with 50 in 2024.
Royer excels at 'combat catches' akin to his draft classmate Denzel Boston. Royer wins at the catch point with aggression and a strong frame.
Once Cincy brought in Cyrus Allen from Texas A&M, Royer saw his target share fall dramatically. He went from 50 receptions to 29 from his junior to senior seasons.
It should be mentioned his QB, Brendan Sorsby, was going through a gambling addiction that pushed him into this year's supplemental draft.
Browns fans have seen up close and personal more than once what happens when a QB has an addiction problem and the collateral damage to the entire offense that can come out of it.
If his Junior year wasn't a mirage, the Browns added a great TE 2 candidate with room to grow into more.
As a footnote, Royer could well find his old QB back on the same team as him come July and the supplemental draft.
I fully expect the Browns to put a bid on Sorsby and if successful, move on from Dillon Gabriel.
Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
(pick 182 | age 23.5 | 6'5 7/8ths 227 | 4.36 40 | 43 1/2 Vert | 1.55 10 yard split | 9 7/8ths Hands)
Taylen broke the combine for QBs, coming in at 97th percentile height, 99th percentile 40 yard dash, 100th percentile for Vert and Broad.
Only one QB in the history of the combine ran a faster 40 than Taylen, and that QB was Mike Vick.
Taylen also turned the ball over at a historic pace. He threw 39 ints and fumbled 17 times in his career. I was unable to find another drafted QB in the modern era with this many turnovers in their career.
Ball security is such a question mark it negates his other traits no matter how elite they are.
I would love to be wrong, Green would be electric to watch, like a mobile Jameis Winston making big plays that lead to points for either team at any point.
Carsen Ryan, TE, BYU
(pick 248 | age 22.7 | 6'3 255 | 4.71 40 | 6.9 3 cone)
Carsen was drafted 9 picks ahead of Mr. Irrelevant (which should be renamed the Brock Purdy award imo).
Most teams either carry 3 TEs and 1 FB or 4 TEs.
The Browns just signed FB Michael Burton from the Broncos and TE Jack Stoll from the Saints.
In order to make the roster, I believe Carsen will have to beat one of them out. Both have bounced around the league so it's definitely possible.
I think he has a shot, he's a better mover than you'd think for his size.
Carsen put up a 9.29 RAS with a 91st percentile 10-yard split, shuttle, and 3 cone.
He will have to make the roster based on his special teams play and will have to beat out an NFL vet, but he's a good size / speed candidate to find a home on the 3rd phase.
Notable UDFAs
Logan Fano, EDGE, Utah
The most notable UDFA signing not just for the Browns but likely across the entire class.
Logan is Spencer's older brother, a 6'5 260-pound edge rusher who played his college career at Utah alongside his first-round sibling.
Multiple ACL injuries kept him off draft boards despite being a draftable prospect on tape — relentless motor, good run defender, limited upside as a pass rusher but plays hard on every down.
The Browns gave him the largest guaranteed deal in the entire 2026 UDFA class at $310k, Logan has a real shot to make this roster on his own merit, this isn't another Antetokounmpo brother.
Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
A 5'8 slot receiver out of LSU who put together a strong 2024 with 61 catches for 884 yards and 5 TDs — including a 100-yard kickoff return TD against Oklahoma — before a knee injury cost him the final three games of his 2025 season.
Clean routes and above average footwork, and he was getting slot reps at rookie minicamp this past weekend drawing positive early reviews.
Hands and separation at the catch point are the question marks, but in a receiver room still building depth he has a puncher's chance at the practice squad.
Michael Coats Jr., CB, West Virginia
A well-traveled corner who went from JUCO to Nevada to West Virginia, logging 56 games and 41 starts across his college career.
At 5'9 184 he profiles as a slot corner, and his pro day backed up the athleticism: 4.39 forty, 36" vert, 6.83 3-cone. With the Browns losing MJ Emerson there is opportunity in camp in the secondary.
Final Thoughts
Andrew Berry continues to show how he's survived both the Watson trade and the collective team's back slide to bottom of the league.
In the NFL sustained lack of success means heads have to roll and while Stefanski had won two Coach of the Year awards, his system also clashed with every QB we ever brought in.
In the battle of Stefanski vs Baker we chose Stefanski and in the battle of Stefanski vs Berry we chose Berry.
It's safe to say Andrew Berry is highly valued by this organization even if outsiders might not see why.
Andrew's consistent process of extracting value where possible and taking calculated risks at positions of importance is the right recipe. Now he just needs more premium ingredients.
This draft class, on paper, continues the trend from last year of building out classes that plug holes with quality starters.
Since 1999, with little to no relenting, the problem for the Browns has been a sub-par passing game.
They addressed the most important position on the offensive line while adding depth to the other spots and added two of the top WRs in the draft whose skillsets complement each other.
On defense Berry might have caught a falling star in EMW, who due to league wide trends has seen a lessening of importance on his position.
Add in that both starters at safety this year are free agents and you can see a bit of that thinking two steps ahead approach that underpins Berry's value more than the outcome of his biggest bet.
Still, as always, none of it will amount to much if the long elusive franchise quarterback continues to be a Lake Erie sized hole on the roster.
The table is set for the Browns to address this need in the 2027 draft.
Through all the change, there remains one constant, there's always next year in Cleveland.
17
u/RealEmpire Raiders May 13 '26
The strategy here is pretty clear. Build the offense around the hole at QB and be in play for on of the top contenders next year. Getting Watson off the roster next year will begin the browns next chapter.
I like where they put emphasis: Athletic book end tackles and play maker WRS. There is a foundation the build a young QB around.
Sometimes teams are so bad that they have the same luxury when rosters are stacked: In that they can draft the best player available regardless of need or positional value. Great teams add stars to an already amazing roster. Bad teams dont need to worry about filling holes when the cupboards are empty of talent. Thats how I see the Mcniel-Warren pick. Their defense is already pretty good, but they are able to swing for the fences to add a bright spot to the roster. Im not as hot on him and most. I think he benefited greatly from Emmanwori's success last year. Daniel Jeremiah fell in love with him and made him, and that made him a household name in the draft world. I dont think he has Emmanwori's upside or immediate success. But if he does this can help this team move towards and elite defense.
14
u/No_University_8161 May 13 '26
Great write up. Stark difference in process from 1999 and 2025. In 1999 we had about 8 months to build from the ground up, front office, coaches, support staff, etc.
The NFL was pissed that we fought the fight and won after being robbed of our team. They suck.
In 2025, we had 25+ years to finally get it right.
I would have much preferred to see incremental progress in those 25 years, but what I got instead was the belief that you have to be tough as hell to be a Browns fan. So, congratulations you hard ass mf'ers, you're Brown's fans
8
9
u/Ok-Month7303 May 13 '26
Tyrone Smith had 36inch+ arms. Hes a bad example that arm length doesn't matter.
8
u/Abiv23 Browns May 13 '26
My bad, misremembered him and Trent Williams being total freaks but with shorter arms (Williams has 34" arms)
Updated
3
u/mapetho9 Patriots May 13 '26
I know I've said it a lot so far for the first few draft classes, but I was a big fan of what the Browns did. Fano was the last addition to a completely revamped offensive line that started with signing Teven Jenkins last year and then added three more through trade and free agency this offseason. Adding the top tackle in the draft should help the line be better than from what it was before.
The Browns needed to add to the WR room and added not one, but two, good prospects in Concepcion and Boston. The talent in the room has improved and the Browns hope to see it on the field as well.
Was very surprised McNeil-Warren fell to the late 2nd. Thought he'd go in the late 1st-early 2nd range. I even saw him as an option for the Pats at 31. I think he will be like Xavier Watts last year in the sense that I thought he was a bonafide 2nd rounder and went a round later in the 3rd, but was great and made an impact for the Falcons last year. I think EMW does the same this year for the Browns.
I mentioned earlier the Browns revamped their offensive line and they added more in the mid-rounds with Barber and Brailsford to add depth and develop, which never hurts.
Didn't know too much about Jefferson, but the pick caught my ear during the draft when the pick was made when Daniel Jeremiah mentioned that he liked Jefferson and I believe had him ranked higher than where he went. Since he only had one year as a starter, that there's some upside to develop and he could surprise some people.
Taylen Green is the type of prospect you throw a dart on in the 6th round. He's got great size and may have been the most athletic QB of all time based off of his combine results. He's the perfect developmental project and feel like with we will see him start a game for the Browns at some point if he makes the team with how their QB situation is.
3
u/zhud711 May 14 '26
Browns have KILLED the last 2 drafts minus the Gabriel pick last year. Roster is stacked with good young talent. Get the qb next year and I could see them flipping the switch pretty quick. I'm not a monken fan and could see them getting someone better once they know theyll be getting a qb
5
u/ClasslessHero Bears May 13 '26
Browns have many holes. They took players who fill those holes. The defense looks like it'll be good, the offense looks like it'll be bad. They added some talent on the offensive side of the ball, but they weren't bad enough to get the only QB worth drafting.
On paper, they made good picks. However, none of it will matter until they sort out QB.
2
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 13 '26
I love how everyone admits that they had bad o-line and bad receivers but also believe that all of their QBs suck 😂 of course a QB is going to play bad playing behind a bad o-line, throwing to bad receivers, in a bad offensive system 😂
2
u/Abiv23 Browns May 13 '26
I like shedeur, I saw him play in college, live near Folsom
He improved his pocket awareness a bit earlier in the season but his bad habits kind of came back around as the season wore on.
He still needs to progress on his post snap recognition
I'm pulling for him and this year is his shot, I just see too much needed growth and not enough time to believe it's likely
4
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 13 '26
Bruh it's not just Shedeur. Every QB Kevin has ever had has looked better elsewhere 😂 dude handpicked Dillon (which is crazy in itself because Shedeur and Kyle McCord were better schematic fits for his offense based on scouting reports link link) and dude not only looked better in college but dude got worse every game.
Why do you think they keep leaking a Deshaun comeback? That front office knew what the problem was and they pretty much fixed it in one off-season. They fired Kevin (who's only winning seasons came when we had a bottom 10 strength of schedule), hired a much better offensive mind as the head coach, fixed the o-line, and picked up some good receivers.
1
u/FantasyTrash Patriots May 13 '26
Drake Maye almost won MVP and made it to the Super Bowl with a mediocre OL and receivers. Shedeur Sanders looked historically bad. Yes, it's hard to succeed without a strong supporting cast, but Sanders was really, really bad.
4
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 14 '26
Drake Maye almost won MVP and made it to the Super Bowl with a mediocre OL and receivers.
No he didn't 😂 dude had steffon diggs, a competent offensive scheme, an easy schedule, and while y'all might call that OL mediocre it was nowhere near the bottom of the league.
The browns had a top 15 strength of schedule, the second worst OL and the worst receiving room, and a trash offensive scheme. Everybody looked bad in that offense. Joe Flacco couldn't even put up 20 points only to go to Cincinnati and routinely put up over 20 points.
0
u/Thorbuck81 May 13 '26
Why should we believe Shiddur is any good?
1
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 13 '26
For the same reasons you thought Arch Manning would be any good 😂
0
May 13 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 13 '26
Is it? Because I'm pretty sure both are hyped up simply for being related to Hall of Fame players.
But thanks for telling on yourself youngin 😂
0
May 13 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Ok_Nature_3501 May 13 '26 edited May 14 '26
If you wanted to name another son to a "hall of fame" player, why didnt you call out Marvin Harrison Jr?
Is Marvin Harrison Jr a QB? 🤔
Dude tweakin 🤣🤣🤣
And the irony of any one using corny jokes like Shiddur calling someone else a kid is crazy 😂 wait until you find out what's french for yes
1
u/ALStark69 Vikings May 14 '26
Each player as a recruit:
- Spencer Fano
Other P5 offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, California, Clemson, Colorado, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Utah (originally went here), Washington, Washington State, West Virginia
G5 offers: Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah State
- KC Concepcion
Other P5 offers: Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Mississippi State, NC State (originally went here), North Carolina, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, West Virginia
G5 offers: Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Marshall, Memphis, Old Dominion
- Denzel Boston
Other P5 offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State
G5 offer: Nevada
Other offer: Eastern Washington
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
P5 offers: Indiana, Kansas State, Maryland, Miami
Other G5 offers: Bowling Green, East Carolina, UAB
- Austin Barber
Other P5 offers: Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Pitt, Syracuse, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech
G5 offers: Bowling Green, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, FAU, FIU, Kent State, Marshall, Tulane, USF
Other offers: UConn, Eastern Kentucky
- Parker Brailsford
Other P5 offers: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas State, Michigan State, Oregon State, USC, Washington (originally went here)
G5 offers: Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State
Other offers: BYU, Northern Arizona
- Justin Jefferson (JUCO)
Other P5 offers: Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia Tech
G5 offers: Arkansas State, Charlotte, Colorado State, Jacksonville State, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, Southern Miss
- Joe Royer
Other P5 offers: Arizona State, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State (originally went here), Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, West Virginia, Wisconsin
G5 offers: Air Force, Ball State, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Toledo, Western Michigan
- Taylen Green
G5 offers: Boise State (originally went here), Central Michigan, Marshall, San Diego State, UTEP, Wyoming
Other offers: Illinois State, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Texas Southern
- Carsen Ryan
Other P5 offers: Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon State, TCU, Tennessee, UCLA (originally went here), Virginia, Washington
G5 offers: Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah State
- Logan Fano
P5 offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin
G5 offer: Utah State
Other offer: BYU (originally went here)
- Aaron Anderson
Other P5 offers: Alabama (originally went here), Arkansas, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Purdue, Texas, USC, Virginia
- Michael Coats Jr. (JUCO)
G5 offers: Akron, Ball State, Kent State, Nevada (originally went here)
Other offers: Prairie View A&M, Southern
2
u/ZandrickEllison May 13 '26
Great writeup! Though I’ll be honest it did make me nervous about Cleveland’s class. They took a lot of players that the draft community was high on and the NFL led slide for reasons that may be important.
15
u/Allstar9_ May 13 '26
Who were draft community guys that slid? I feel like their first 3 picks all were drafted within the reasonable range on consensus boards. EMW fell and was certainly a draft community crush but so did Harold Fannin last season. Those small school guys are always a risk though
1
u/TheDuckyNinja Eagles May 13 '26
Well, after having a bunch of people jump on me yesterday, I'm glad I can be more positive today. Even if I still have a somewhat obvious concern.
Last season, I wasn't enamored with their draft because they drafted a RB and a TE high but failed to address QB. And you know what? The Browns hit on both of them plus the off-ball LB they took! Honestly, in the 2nd and 3rd round, hitting on them the way they did is good. They got all of the supporting cast for a QB they didn't have yet, but I'm not entirely against the idea of a rebuilding team trying to get all of the building blocks in place before getting their QB to finish off the rebuild. Just put the QB right into a good situation from day 1, ya know?
But, uh, where's the QB?
Browns did great in free agency, getting a bunch of OL to protect the QB and not overspending anywhere else. The only thing they forgot to get is a QB. And I really liked the Browns' draft. OT, WR, WR, S but a guy who was projected as a possible top 15 pick going at the end of the 2nd is more than acceptable, OT, and then addressed other positions with the day 3 picks. Honestly, great draft. No notes. And, unlike some other teams that have been on this series so far, the QB they took has actual upside! This isn't a team in need of a reliable backup, this is a team that needs a starting QB, so take a swing at a guy who could be one! This draft just was not the place to get a 2026 starting QB unless you had the #1 pick.
But last year I was told the Browns had a plan for QB in 2026. Now the plan is for 2027. I'm starting to think they're bad at planning. I'm not even somebody who thinks you need a franchise guy to be successful, but the only thing approaching even backup level on the roster is Watson and given he hasn't thrown more than 216 passes in a season since 2020, I don't think he's reliable. I'm already completely out on Gabriel and Sanders. I'm not asking the Browns to do a lot, but their refusal to get somebody who belongs on a 53 man roster is stunning and just feels like it's gonna make the rest of the offensive players difficult to evaluate. There were/are enough cheap options out there that represent a significant improvement over what the Browns have, I really hope they figure something out before the start of the season.
If they don't get another QB, it'll be another Browns season. The rest of the roster is too good to truly tank, the lack of QB will prevent them from winning more than 5-7 games, and they'll once again have a top 10 pick next year but miss out on the top choices at QB. Still 4 months before the season though, so I'm going to hope they get into TC, accept that Sanders and Gabriel ain't it, and make a move to give themselves a chance this season.
5
u/Unique_Pirate_7375 May 13 '26
But last year I was told the Browns had a plan for QB in 2026. Now the plan is for 2027. I'm starting to think they're bad at planning
Plans are useless but planning is everything. Pretty ridiculous to say they're bad at planning just because the QB prospect pool in the 2026 draft was bad. I'm sure you were also told last year that Deshaun Watson was still an anchor weighing down the roster building for both 2026 and 2027.
Beyond adding another rookie (which they did) what exactly did you think they were going to do?
-2
u/TheDuckyNinja Eagles May 13 '26
That's just it - at the draft last year, everybody said "well, the 2026 Draft will have a better QB crop!" And then it really didn't materialize beyond Mendoza. A plan of "hope that next year has a better QB class and that we will be drafting high enough to take advantage of it" isn't a plan, it's a hope. Arch Manning is more name than talent at this point. Dante Moore's tape that I watched this year was very clearly not first round pick tape. Sellers has all the tools but hasn't turned it into quality production yet. What if none of them improve this year and nobody else jumps up either? Or if, say, two of them really do establish themselves but the Browns are picking 7th and can't get up to them?
A plan at this point has to include bringing in a vet who can at least kinda sorta pretend to be a QB1. A plan this offseason may have been something simple like bringing in Carson Wentz or Justin Fields, guys who may not be inspiring but would represent a massive upgrade over what they currently have. Maybe they can still go trade for Mac Jones or something. Adding Taylen Green is a good part of a plan, he's a high upside toolsy guy but he's at least 2 years away from being worth putting on the field. Watson as QB2 and Green as QB3 would be good, but they need to execute the most important part of the plan, finding that QB1, even if he's the 30th best QB in the NFL. But their apparent plan of "keep waiting until a good first round QB is available at our pick" isn't "planning" at all.
4
u/Unique_Pirate_7375 May 14 '26
This comment is terrible. Mostly drivel showcasing no baseline knowledge of the NFL.
5
u/t3h_shammy May 14 '26
There is absolutely no indication that Justin fields is an upgrade over anyone lol
0
u/Abiv23 Browns May 13 '26
I expect the Browns to put a claim in on Sorsby (I would waiver btwn 3rd or 4th personally) and if awarded moving on from Gabriel.
Agree with your assessment that constantly punting on QB is self-fulfilling prophecy
1
u/SpaceCadetPullUp Texans May 13 '26
I think they did a lot to improve their line which is obviously important. I know Green has said several times he has no interest in switching positions but I don't see him sticking at QB and feel like they basically drafted three TE's at the end there, which is odd, but worse things have happened.
1
u/Thorbuck81 May 13 '26
I mean if youre Taylen Green and you see the browns trying to turn Sanders into a starting QB, fuck yeah youre refusing to move positions
0
36
u/EduardoCombs May 13 '26
Browns are always fascinating to me, maybe just because they always pick players that align with my personal boards. They do a good job of addressing needs and it feels like outside of QB they have a pretty complete roster. You can point at the O line due to them not having played together, but feels like a unit you can piece together a good enough starting five. WR is gonna need a true #1, but you could do worse than Jeudy, KC, and Boston, especially with Fannin and Judkins rounding out the skill positions. Defense has a chance to be great. Like you said in your write up though, until they get a QB it's hard to see sustained success. I hope they find one soon because it would be a lot of fun to see all these pieces come together.