2026 NFL Team Draft Page

2025 Draft Grade: A-

The decision to pass on Travis Hunter for bevy of picks is one that caught many off guard, and while the consensus was Cleveland getting the best of trade with Jacksonville, the impact won't truly be known for several years. I like the idea of Andrew Berry setting the Browns up for a chance to get the quarterback of their choice next year by pulling in what is expected to be an early selection from the Jaguars.


Still, Hunter is a dynamic athlete with the potential to be a top-tier pro at either wide receiver or cornerback. However, getting the picks spent on Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the deal certainly has Cleveland off to a good start. Judkins and Sampson have the potential to be a thunder-and-lightning combo for the foreseeable future, and Graham was one of the premium prospects in this class.

Adding a versatile pass catcher in Harold Fannin is an underrated move as well, as the Browns are not shy about employing multiple tight ends in their offense. Also, let's not forget the addition of Carson Schwesinger, who has DROY potential

Then there is the quarterback situation. Yes, Joe Flacco seems to defy Father Time over and over, and honestly, Kenny Pickett is the type of quarterback that Stefanaski can elevate. When they skipped over a passer in the first two rounds, I felt they were postponing their quarterback decision until 2026. Of course, that could still be the case, as I'm predicting here. Still, throwing Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders into the equation seems like an awfully "Cleveland Browns" thing to do.

I felt like Gabriel is the right kind of guy for a team looking to develop a QB2. I also felt Sanders could be a future starter in this league, though there are obvious physical limitations and other factors that could hinder that development.

So how does this playout? Are all four quarterbacks in the running for one job because I just don't see that many reps being available in practice. Is it a foregone conclusion that Cleveland would love to find a quarterback in the 2026 class, considering last year wasn't a bunch many were impressed with? I guess we are going to find out over the next 6-8 months.

Looking ahead - 2026 Draft

Considering the Browns have so many question marks at the quarterback position, it has to be on the table here. The 2026 class has the potential to look more like 2024 than 2025, and it's the most important position on the field. Still, the Browns would be in great shape if any of their quarterbacks (not named Flacco) had a breakout year. Elsewhere, this team still lacks a proven player at left tackle, and that could be the case all across the offensive line as it includes three starters going into a contract year.

This roster is still in search of a long-term pass-rush partner for Myles Garrett coming off the edge as well, and while Jerry Jeudy just had his best season as a pro, it's not a stretch to say this roster lacks a No. 1 target either. It will be interesting to see how this roster develops this season, and here's to hoping many of the questions get sorted out between now and next April.

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

After running through my thoughts on the 2025 class, and potential 2026 needs earlier in this mock, let's focus on an ideal scenario for the Browns two first round picks in next April. Ideally, the quarterback situation needs to be solved or be a complete disaster this fall. Of course, we hope for someone to step up, but the worst-possible result of this season is to come out of it saying so-and-so showed flashes, but the consistency wasn't there. Please, give me a full-proof answer, even if it's Cleveland's four quarterbacks were the worst in all of football.

I don't want to go into 2026 debating whether the Browns should or shouldn't take a passer. Having said that, if a long-term answer does step up in 2025, wouldn't it be nice to be able to fill two needs at premium positions (EDGE, OT, WR) in the first round with the kind of financial flexibility in the offseason that comes with having a young quarterback on a cheap deal. Can the Browns get that lucky...cause they are due.

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst