FOFC GroupThink 2026: We take over the Cleveland Browns

[QuikSand]

Fresh off our GRAND SUCCESSES of recent years:

FOFC GroupThink 2022: We take over the NY Football Giants (https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=98066)

FOFC GroupThink 2023: We take over the Detroit Lions (https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=98871)

FOFC GroupThink 2024: We take over the Arizona Cardinals (https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=99166)

FOFC GroupThink 2025: We take over the Chicago Bears (https://forumsold.operationsports.com/fofc/fofc/showthread.php?t=99501)

We get to take on the Lake Erie Challenge (blast from the FOFC past)... how can we save the mistake on the lake? Not exactly an empty cupboard, but we do have the matter of a certain salary cap inconvenience that will carry some consequence this year and beyond.

Let's go sort it out on the shores of the lovely Cuyahoga.

[Bobble]

Deion Sanders as Head Coach! And then start the river on fire. :popcorn:

Alright, I got it out of my system...

[JPhillips]

Step 1: Who's our head coach?

Like every other team not in Baltimore I'd love Harbaugh, but I can't imagine they can get him. If we are committing to Sanders for the next 2-3 years, I want an offense-focused coach, but I also want a good OC. One of the big problems with the Browns is that they don't seem unified on organizational direction and that has to change. If Sanders is the guy, from owner to OC need to be focused on his development and production.

[albionmoonlight]

Are we 100% out on Watson?

[RainMaker]

Not a great head coach market and I actually like Stefanski more than anyone realistically available (Harbaugh is not coming). I'd probably go with someone like Saleh or Spagnola. They desperately need someone to change the culture and hold players accountable and I think those two would be solid in that role. They'll need help with a top notch OC, but I think the culture shift is at the top of the list of things that need to change.

I don't think they are out on Watson because of the contract. I'd say he is the bridge QB or a stopgap till you can draft someone in 2027.

And I say 2027 instead of 2026 because I don't think the Browns should trade up for Moore or Mendoza. It would require a lot and I think 2026 should be a rebuilding year with a focus on getting a QB in 2027 and building up the offensive line this offseason so that new QB doesn't get destroyed.

[JPhillips]

Saleh was a real disappointment in NY. He seemed nearly comatose some games.

[albionmoonlight]

OK, where to start.

QB: They aren't going to do it, but I'd trade Sanders. You can probably get a 3rd-4th round pick for him. And the circus aspect of him on the team isn't worth whatever small chance there is that he will break out.

Watson's cap hit is somehow $80 million. And then $50 in dead cap next season when it voids. I don't think that you can eat the whole $80 this year (though I'd see if that were possible to get it in the rearview as soon as I could). I think what we do is push some of that cap into the future and try and bring his number into the $50 range. I like the idea of him as the bridge QB.

Not worth trading assets to draft a guy this draft.

Coach: I agree that Harbaugh ain't coming. The young offensive whiz kids have been strip mined the last few seasons. And this team needs some adults in the room badly. Anthony Weaver comes to mind. Vance Joseph? I don't know if I want to bring a young guy like Chris Shula or Klint Kubiak into this clown show.

[RainMaker]

Saleh was a real disappointment in NY. He seemed nearly comatose some games.

Yeah, I'm ont super high on him but the available options are pretty slim unless you want to hand it over to an inexperienced coordinator from somewhere else. I do think the Jets situation was really shitty for him and a lot was out of his control. He's had a good defense almost everywhere he's been.

My thinking is you're cooked offensively for another year or two because of the Watson situation. Best bet is to focus on putting together a formidable defensive unit while you slowly upgrade the offensive line for the next franchise QB. Saleh can handle that and I think he's a good culture guy. You can always dump him in 2 years when you find a franchise QB if you're still worried about the offense.

[JPhillips]

What about Kingsbury?

[RainMaker]

Kingsbury is interesting and wouldn't be terrible but I guess my worry is for a team that is such a mess, I think you'd want more of an adult as HC for awhile.

I highly doubt you'd get a 3rd or 4th for Sanders too. He wasn't very good and a lot of the flaws people saw in college came out. For a team that needs a future QB, they'd probably be better off keeping him and seeing if he can develop into something as slim as the chances of that happening are.

[GrantDawg]

Kingsbury is interesting and wouldn't be terrible but I guess my worry is for a team that is such a mess, I think you'd want more of an adult as HC for awhile.

I highly doubt you'd get a 3rd or 4th for Sanders too. He wasn't very good and a lot of the flaws people saw in college came out. For a team that needs a future QB, they'd probably be better off keeping him and seeing if he can develop into something as slim as the chances of that happening are.
If fans ran teams you could definitely get a third, because there are large group of fans that bye the hype. Unfortunately most teams are ran by adults, and they won't touch him with a stick.

[albionmoonlight]

The problem is that Sanders comes with this somewhat unique downside. Sure if you had a Gardner Minchew and you wanted to keep him on the roster to see if the 1% chance he turns into a franchise QB hits, then why not? But I think that the Browns need to really focus on leaving the crazy behind, and Sanders” mere existence on the team makes it harder to do that.

[RainMaker]

I can understand that. I just don't think you'd get a 3rd or 4th for him. Maybe a 6th or 7th (one of those trades where the pick can improve if he starts a bunch of games). Probably some late pick swap at best.

[JPhillips]

Just doesn't seem realistic to ditch Sanders without an ownership or GM change.

[flere-imsaho]

Honestly, lean in the Sanders thing and hire Deion. What's the worst that could happen, you bottom out and become the laughingstock of the NFL?

[Bobble]

Don't you guys think Sanders (the QB one, not the potential HC one) is kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card? You give the fans what they want. You give Sanders a chance to see if by some miracle he actually is an NFL QB. And meanwhile, you've bought yourself the year you need wait out (most of) the Watson debacle.

How's the rest of the roster?

RB - Judkins - probably fine, right?
TE - Fannin and Njoku, good
WR - Is Jeudy anything? Anyone else?
OL - Stinky, I presume. Any keepers?

DL - Garrett is all-world. Anything else here? Mason Graham?
LB - Devin Bush, Jerome Baker, and JOK are all fine, right?
DB - Ward's good. Delpit and Hickman are good.

So the needs are OL and WR?

[Passacaglia]

Don't you guys think Sanders (the QB one, not the potential HC one) is kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card? You give the fans what they want. You give Sanders a chance to see if by some miracle he actually is an NFL QB. And meanwhile, you've bought yourself the year you need wait out (most of) the Watson debacle.


I do. This is a team with Deshaun Watson "on" it, and it seems weird to me that we're acting like Sanders has all this off-field downside. I feel like, why not roll with him? I'm not sure what the alternative is anyway -- Deshaun? Spending the cap resources you don't have on a FA? Drafting another?

[Passacaglia]

Step 1: Who's our head coach?

Like every other team not in Baltimore I'd love Harbaugh, but I can't imagine they can get him. If we are committing to Sanders for the next 2-3 years, I want an offense-focused coach, but I also want a good OC. One of the big problems with the Browns is that they don't seem unified on organizational direction and that has to change. If Sanders is the guy, from owner to OC need to be focused on his development and production.

Minter? I know someone said get a young offensive whiz, but I would love to see a great defense in Cleveland.

[bhlloy]

Depends what you think about the QBs in the draft. Honestly the chance that Sanders is an NFL QB with what he’s shown is so miniscule, so do you like this year or next year more?

If his name was Smith he’d already be borderline out of the league, let’s be fair. Gabriel statistically was the better QB, and both were historically awful. In the last 5 years he’s in the bottom 3 for adjusted yards per attempt and QBR, below many other guys like Zach Wilson and Anthony Richardson who are considered jokes and actually had some physical upside to make you believe they could be a Josh Allen. I’m usually all for patience with young QBs, but Sanders isn’t it.

[flere-imsaho]

Merge the Browns with the Bengals and you'd have one hell of a team.

Ohio doesn't need two teams anyway. Merge them and award a new franchise to Portland, OR.

[JPhillips]

I'm not thrilled with either of the top-10 WR options and I'm not sure what to expect with Judkins after his injury. I think Love makes a lot of sense and merges well with Fannin.

[QuikSand]

Don't you guys think Sanders (the QB one, not the potential HC one) is kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card? You give the fans what they want. You give Sanders a chance to see if by some miracle he actually is an NFL QB. And meanwhile, you've bought yourself the year you need wait out (most of) the Watson debacle.

How's the rest of the roster?

RB - Judkins - probably fine, right?
TE - Fannin and Njoku, good
WR - Is Jeudy anything? Anyone else?
OL - Stinky, I presume. Any keepers?

DL - Garrett is all-world. Anything else here? Mason Graham?
LB - Devin Bush, Jerome Baker, and JOK are all fine, right?
DB - Ward's good. Delpit and Hickman are good.

So the needs are OL and WR?

This general framework is close to my thinking.

A few specifics:

-the good OL are all up for new contracts, so it's a pivotal decision there cap-wise... TE Njoku is a free agent also, I'm fairly certain

-rookie LB Schwesinger looks like a build-around caliber guy, but JOK is a serious career question mark with a major injury... the DL is a strength overall, not sure about contract details yet

-CB Ward and Campbell are both getting paid, but the two positions are in good shape, not a ton of teams can brag that... and yeah Delpit and the depth are okay, DB feeling pretty good


I'd say a difference-making WR or anchor caliber OT are atop the list, yeah.

[JPhillips]

Gonna be really tough to re-sign guys with their cap situation.

[bhlloy]

Surely both Barkley and the first year of Jeanty on bad teams is a cautionary tale about the top 5 RB?

I know the position has undergone a bit of a revival but it still seems such a waste of draft capital to me. Even if the player is that talented it’s so injury dependent and you can still get such talent later in the draft, I have to admit it just doesn’t make sense to me.

[henry296]

Don't you guys think Sanders (the QB one, not the potential HC one) is kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card? You give the fans what they want. You give Sanders a chance to see if by some miracle he actually is an NFL QB. And meanwhile, you've bought yourself the year you need wait out (most of) the Watson debacle.

How's the rest of the roster?

RB - Judkins - probably fine, right?
TE - Fannin and Njoku, good
WR - Is Jeudy anything? Anyone else?
OL - Stinky, I presume. Any keepers?

DL - Garrett is all-world. Anything else here? Mason Graham?
LB - Devin Bush, Jerome Baker, and JOK are all fine, right?
DB - Ward's good. Delpit and Hickman are good.

So the needs are OL and WR?

Njoku is a free agent.

Also have Tillman at WR who has been ok, but was hurt most of this season.

[CrimsonFox]

Still waiting for the Arizone cards thread to pay off...

[CrimsonFox]

Trade Gabriel or Sanders. Just outright waive Watson

Get Kirk Cousins or Jameis

[QuikSand]

Watson contract details via
Deshaun Watson Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap (https://overthecap.com/player/deshaun-watson/5596)

Looks like cutting him pre-June 1 triggers everything at once, a $131m dead money hit and a $50m reduction in cap space for 26... seems untenable

Cutting post June 1 is still 80m in dead money in 26 and another 50 later, scaling down... and zero savings in 26

I think it's take your medicine (over the next few years), unless you can Osweiller someone into taking the contract which just seems inconceivable as well

[JPhillips]

So back to the coach,

What about Jim Schwartz?

[RainMaker]

I think it's take your medicine (over the next few years), unless you can Osweiller someone into taking the contract which just seems inconceivable as well

I wouldn't do that. The team is a couple years away and in a rebuild. I think you keep Watson and Shadeur and hope one of them can be competent. Build up your offensive line and then take someone in the draft in 2027.

If everyone desperately wants a new QB, I do kind of like taking a flyer on Malik Willis. He has looked incredible for the Packers when he has been given playing time. Probably a guy you can get in on a 2-year deal with the 2nd year mostly non-guaranteed.

[RainMaker]

As for coach, what about LaFleur if the Packers let him go? The guy knows how to develop a QB.

[JPhillips]

Stories are out that the Packers are going to give him an extension.

[Atocep]

I think the top defensive coaches are probably safer bets at this point for a coach. I'm not comfortable enough with Joe Brady or Klink Kubiak

I'd look at Flores first. I really think this is an organization that could use someone with some head coaching experience and out of those with experience, Flores and McCarthy are the only ones outside of the guy they just fired that didn't completely crash and burn on his first attempt. It would come down to his choices on the offensive side of the ball though because those offensive staffs he built in Miami were god awful.

Another thought would be Robert Saleh if he could pull Mike McDaniel as OC. I can't hold his time with the Jets too heavily against him considering he dealt with Zach Wilson and the Aaron Rodgers situations along with the typical Jets nonsense. The upside here is he's already coached the worst organization in the NFL so he'd see Cleveland as a step up from his last gig. If it could get the Saleh/McDaniels combo he's probably at the top of my list.

Neither would be the most exciting hire, but I don't think that exciting hire is out there right now. Outside of those 2 I'd probably look at McCarthy. Again, not exciting but I really believe the Browns need someone ready to lead on day 1 and isn't learning on the job.

[albionmoonlight]

I agree that whoever takes over as HC needs to change the culture. Realistically, they are probably going to spend 3 years helping us clean up from all of our past mistakes while winning 5 games a year. Just enough to get fired and set up the next coach to win.

So I don't know if Saleh or Flores wants that job. A black coach who has failed at 2 prior stops (even if he had good excuses at both) is never getting another shot. They need to be very careful about the job they choose.

McCarthy is 62 years old. This is likely his last stop no matter what. And he instantly gives the team a high floor. If we can get to "the Browns can't win in the playoffs with McCarthy," that is a huge win for us considering where we are now.

#TeamMcCarthy

[QuikSand]

As a fan of the Dolphins/Ravens/Browns sorta in that order, I'm pretty vested in the HC derby this offseason overall. I find the Saleh/McDaniel combo attractive for either of the latter two there.

I also find the #TeamMcCarthy logic especially compelling for the Browns in specific, as floor-seekers.

I think Schwartz is an intriguing candidate but don't think that flips the lever enough in Cleveland.

Among the rest of the field, Minter is really intriguing and feels (fairly obviously) like the Mike McDonald situation of a Harbaugh protege who lives and breathes ball, exudes competence, and is just bound for success in his next stage. I'd welcome him to any of my teams, including the Browns. Actually, I think he'd be my top pick for Cleveland, all told.

[QuikSand]

Getting a jump on the contract issues, one seems easy enough to isolate and discuss in detail here. TE Njoku was surprisingly (to most) paid a top-market offer last time he was up. Browns are going to be cap constrained this year and forward, and we seem to have a nice weapon in local product Harold Fannin Jr. on the roster for three more cheap-as-fuck years.

Seems like an easy call to me... if Njoku is going to cost someone, say, $8m a year we're better off letting him go and hopefully gathering a compensatory draft pick later. That feels pretty easy to me.

And then we likely figure TE2 as a low-priority target for a later round draft pick and/or a cheap veteran. I would be very open to moving in the admittedly trendy direction of a lot of jumbo/power/12/13 setups next season, so a people mover type might make sense.

[JPhillips]

I know I'm the one who suggested we start with the coach, but I think we should take a step back and first figure out what the goal is for next season. On the one hand, the division is going to be ripe for the taking. The other three teams were basically .500 this year and they could easily be the same or worse next year. On the other hand, I think we can all agree the Browns don't have a long-term solution at QB, so winning nine games next year could keep them on the carousel of mediocrity.

I think establishing the goal for next season, win and let God sort em out or stink once more before finding our savior, is the first decision to make. For me, at least, it would help clarify what I want in a coach.

[Bobble]

Maybe making the playoffs and then almost assuredly getting booted out doesn't seem like a great plan to me. Fans and ownership seem to have accepted a rebuild year so that seems the likely goal. Sort out HC. Sort out QB. Cut the dead weight. Rise from the ashes. That's where I'm at.

[QuikSand]

Okay, so... agreed that big picture is part of what we want to focus on first, and that connects/precedes some of the specifics. That said, the HC decision is likely to happen in the next 10 days of real time, I'd think, so time's a-wastin'.

I'll speculate for now that none among us think the goal for 2026 is 12 wins. We're not in that mindset, we're not ready for that. So, nothing like mortgage-the-future and win-right-away votes among us. We're on a longer glide path.

So, that said... what decisions really get altered by the difference between "let's be respectable now while we build" versus "26 and maybe 27 are lost causes, we're in this for the long haul" p.o.v. ? Maybe the viability of a veteran/stable choice at HC and QB are less attractive if the latter... and I suppose it would affect our willingness to let older quality OL walk.

I'd be mostly in favor of: it's a marathon, no crisis if we go 5-12 in 2026 but we want to see signs of development and have as much clarity as possible at some key positions whether we are entering a window for the 27 season and beyond, as we get past the DW contract residue.

That would lead me to say "hire the HC we want for 10 years, but let QB simmer for this year (maybe Shedeur, Shedeur/Gabriel), beef up spots like OL and WR with guys we think could be valuable long term," that sort of thing.

[Bobble]

Are we entertaining a Jets-esque fire sale?

[bhlloy]

I think let QB simmer unless there’s one you really like in the draft, and I’d even entertain another young QB reclamation project to add to the pot if you can shake one loose for nothing, why the hell not? You can throw a rock at any QB in the entire league and find one that’s done better than Sanders and Gabriel.

[JPhillips]

I'm more willing to swing for a home run on a less experienced coach if I don't care about winning next year. I'd worry that stabilizing things with McCarthy is a pretty path to 7-9 wins, especially with their schedule. They only have five playoff games and three of those are PittX2 and Carolina.

It's just so hard to win without a QB and I'd like to do everything to maximize either developing Shedeur, which I think is a long shot, or setting the team up to draft one in 2027.

I've talked myself into Minter or Kubiak.

[Danny]

Hire Pete Carroll and his sons and get a qb in 2027

[Atocep]

IMO the path forward starts with legitimizing the organization. It's been the joke of the league for far too long and that's why, personally, I'd rather have an experienced coach on the sidelines rather than gamble on someone without any experience.

I'd put Tomlin at the top of list now although I doubt he'd entertain a move from Pittsburgh to Cleveland.

[CrimsonFox]

Harbough in Cleveland would be interesting

[Danny]

I am going to disagree with atocep. I think you get your cap in order and build a young team, that is naturally going to lose a lot of games while getting your qb in 2027.

Someone like Harbaugh or mccarthy wil want to go for it amd you win 7 games, stay in a bad cap situation and have no path to a qb.

[Atocep]

Here's where I am with this team and as far as this exercise goes; what makes this an intriguing roster is it's not a text sim tear down and rebuild case. It's the easy path forward for us but there's absolutely no way it's a realistic scenario from a front office standpoint. You have a GM that managed survive a coaching change, some playoff roster ready pieces, and 9 picks in this draft while coming off a very strong 2025 draft class.

Add to the fact that you have the Watson contract, some pending free agents, and there are a few directions you could go in but tanking for a 2027 QB isn't realistic IMO. Andrew Berry is fighting for his job at this point and if he signed off on a full rebuild he's just signing off on his own firing after this season.

QB - Sanders and Gabriel graded out pretty similarly per PFF. Neither did well enough to move forward on building around but Sanders probably has the higher ceiling so I'd probably lean toward seeing if anyone is interested in Gabriel. The plan for Sanders would be to back up in 2026 and try to find someone with some upside to acquire.

RB - Judkins was looking like a workhorse and he's supposed to be fully healthy for 2026. Dylan Sampson was really solid as a receiving option out of the backfield. I think we can call this spot "good enough" for now or at least "not a priority".

WR - Not much here. Definitely a priority for the offseason. Isaiah Bond has elite speed but doesn't offer much other than go routes at this point. We're stuck with Judy here for 2026 for cap reasons. Everyone else could be replaced.

TE - Fanin is a legit building block. Njoku will be 30 and doesn't make sense to bring back with Fanin in place. Fanin is the better receiver and while not a good blocker by any means, he's better than Njoku. The play here is likely to get a blocking TE and another than can catch some passes.

Oline - Bitonio, Pocic, and Teller are free agents. All are in their 30s. We need to work on the line. Tevin Jenkins, who you may remember from this exercise with the Bears last offseason, is also a free agent and was solid enough to bring back on an incredibly team friendly deal if he's willing. Everyone else is replaceable.


Now we get into why there's no way a rebuild is realistic

Edge - Garrett and Alex Wright are elite

Defensive Interior - Mallek Collins is 30 but solid and on a reasonable contract. Mason Graham has a ton of potential and will be entering his 2nd year.

Linebacker - Devin Bush was elite and is a pending free agent. Carson Schwesinger is probably defensive rookie of the year. Jerome Baker is solid as a 3rd linebacker.

Corner - Denzel Ward is eating up a ton of space and isn't productive. Tyson Campbell is young and solid. Another spot that needs some attention.

Safety - Hickman and Delpit are both solid and young enough to keep around.

That's the number 2 graded defense per PFF and number 3 per FPI. It's not an old defense either and the only major contributor set to be a free agent is Bush. You can be a playoff team with this defense and a somewhat competent offense. Find a decent QB, some receivers, and an average OLine and this is a sleeper team for 2026.

As I said, this organization has long been a joke. 3 playoff appearances in their 26 year existence. They've had the top pick in the draft more times (4). It's time start building rather than rebuilding.

[QuikSand]

Okay, while we debate where we are situated/aiming for the 2026 season, a few things seem to be fairly in focus:

-Given our cap situation, we expect that most of our activity there will be fairly low-impact roster-fillers, 1-2y deals with marginal veterans here or there, and zero (or close to zero) "solve a long term roster problem with this signing" moves

-We've got a lot of draft capital, notably an extra first rounder, and that's the main tool we have this offseason to use to advance solutions to longer term weaknesses

-We agree that the top of our concern list is largely on the offense - QB, OL, and WR with the latter two being consensus concerns for a long-term infusion... and there are depth and weakness concerns elsewhere, like with any roster, but these feel the most acute

[QuikSand]

Atocep, I let my pee-eff-eff subscription lapse... would you be willing to share at least a perusal through what you see there?

I know in their assessments, the CB position is notoriously up-and-down year by year... are they behind your assessment that Ward "isn't productive," I assume?

[Atocep]

Offense and then defense are below, sorted by lowest to highest snap count because sorting on the PFF website gets weird.

Ward's average grade over the past 3 years is a 66. Not at all in line with what he's being paid and he did see a decent drop off in 2025. Not sure if that's a one off or a trend. That contract was bad when it was signed and hasn't aged well.

https://i.imgur.com/LCOpr5e.png

https://i.imgur.com/nYC0ACj.png

[JPhillips]

Udinski, Jags OC, has a second interview scheduled.

[Atocep]

Everyone wants to find the next McVay but I don't feel like the hit rate on guys with 1 year of full OC experience and never being a playcaller is very high.

[Atocep]

So McDermott has to get a long look yeah?

[albionmoonlight]

I put McDermott in the same bucket as McCarthy. Instant high floor & credibility.

[JPhillips]

Saleh to the Titans looks done.

[GrantDawg]

I put McDermott in the same bucket as McCarthy. Instant high floor & credibility.
Which would you rather? I don't know McDermott other than his teams have been fantastic for several years without being able to get over the hump.

[QuikSand]

Chatter seems to be that they/we are going to scuttle around with a Rooney Rule interview and then hire Udinski. After a couple high profile candidates said "no thanks" to even talking with them/us, I guess we have our guy. Presuming here that we/they will insist that the new offensive-minded coach keeps Schwartz running the defense. I concur with that.

[JPhillips]

I'm a little worried about our process, boys.

The Browns are reportedly a “data-driven operation” and are requiring head coaching candidates to complete questionnaires, a multi-part essay, a personality test, and additional homework, per @TomPelissero

[flere-imsaho]

In the past there may have been some reasonable argument about whether FOFC could do better than a particular NFL franchise's front office, no matter how highly we think of ourselves, but it is without a doubt true in this case.

[Bobble]

If you squint and unfocus your eyes, can you see a starting quarterback in this picture?

[QuikSand]

Doesn't feel like there is any contingent here advocating to move up for Mendoza, but my guess is in the weeks ahead we will hear that as a local pressure... team desperately needs an identity and flicker of hope, we happen to have some extra draft capital and are already fairly close to the top, why not push in to get the B1G kid while it's right there and start the new era right away?

[albionmoonlight]

Rightly or wrongly, Mendoza does not, at this point, seem to have that Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams "Do Anything To Get This Guy" buzz.

If you have the #1 pick and need a QB? Sure, grab him and don't overthink it.

But I don't know if there will (or should?) be a clamor to sell the farm to get him.

[JPhillips]

I just can't see the Raiders taking any offer that we'd be willing to make. They need an identity for LV and starting with Mendoza mentored by Brady is damn near perfect for them.

But I agree that getting the QB settled is the primary piece of business for the franchise, just as it has been since they reformed from the ashes f the Ravens.

[JPhillips]

Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is apparently the frontrunner for the head coaching job.

[QuikSand]

Good news is our search for a Pro Bowl QB is now over!

[QuikSand]

Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is apparently the frontrunner for the head coaching job.

At 82% on Kalshi

[Danny]

You all dont need Mendoza you already got a pro bowl quarterback

[albionmoonlight]

If we bring in Scheelhaase, then I really hope we've already convinced Schwartz to stay.

[JPhillips]

Sounds like they are going with a copy of Zac Taylor.

[albionmoonlight]

The "15 year old kid who walked by Sean McVay's house one time" is a very attractive model for a lot of owners.

[QuikSand]

From a PFF article on “one free agent each team cannot let get away” is this:

Cleveland Browns: LB Devin Bush

Even though the Browns floundered again in 2025, the team’s defense ranked third in EPA per play and second in PFF overall grade. The unit boasted talent at all three levels, including Bush up the middle.

The former 10th overall pick has established a home in Cleveland. Over the past two seasons, Bush ranks fifth among qualified linebackers in both PFF overall grade (88.9) and PFF WAR (0.42). In 2025 alone, Bush finished in the top eight in both PFF coverage and run-defense grades at the position.

The Browns’ bet to re-sign Bush last offseason was a wondrous one. Expect Cleveland to do more of the same — on a presumably bigger deal — this offseason.

[Atocep]

Who knew Todd Monken was a good essay writer.

I'm intrigued by the hire. Not a guy I'd want my team to hire, but for an exercise like this I'm invested in seeing how it plays out.

[albionmoonlight]

There's a bit of "we fired Kevin Stefanski in order to rehire Kevin Stefanski" here.

But what's done is done.

Priority 1 now has to be keeping Schwartz on staff so the D can continue to be a strength of the team.

[Atocep]

One nice thing about Monken is he's shown a willingness to change his system to fit the talent. Stefanski was never willing to do that.

[Danny]

There's a bit of "we fired Kevin Stefanski in order to rehire Kevin Stefanski" here.

But what's done is done.

Priority 1 now has to be keeping Schwartz on staff so the D can continue to be a strength of the team.

Hes apparently upset for being passed over for head coach and may want out.

[bhlloy]

Schwartz sounds like he’s gone. Not sure I really understand this hire of a guy whose star isn’t quite as bright as it has been, but I guess we weren’t ever picking from the tier A pool of candidates.

[JPhillips]

I like that Monken has been a very heavy run caller in Baltimore. The past three years the Ravens have been at the top for run attempts and at the bottom for pass attempts. I still think Love should be in the mix for round 1. Maybe a trade back and then pick him.

[Senator]

This is an interesting thread. It’s always fascinating to me how inept the ownership can be at the top level of sports.

[JPhillips]

The wording was a little confusing, but I saw a report that Haslem made the hire in contradiction to the recommendation of the GM.

[QuikSand]

The Athletic has a mock draft up:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7001655/2026/01/29/nfl-mock-draft-2026-mendoza-simpson-qbs/

6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns are starting over at head coach (again), and this feels like another situation that will not be very friendly toward a young QB, be it Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or a new face. Cleveland still needs so much help offensively that it’d be smart to spend these precious assets on its core.

Fano is my favorite offensive lineman in the draft. He’s an outstanding athlete, with potential as a right or left tackle.

24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Trying to land QB2 in this draft class (whether it’s Simpson or another prospect) should be on the table for Cleveland, either by trading up or sticking at 24 and hoping he falls. If that doesn’t work, though, landing Boston — a big receiver who runs like a smaller receiver (with great ball skills) — would be a fine alternative.

39. Cleveland Browns: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Sarratt was one of Mendoza’s top targets during the Hoosiers’ championship run. He finished the season with 65 catches for 860 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns. The talented receiver has good size (6-3, 213) and executes well out of his breaks, but his greatest strength is his hands. Just watch how he snagged multiple passes with Oregon defenders draped over him.

[QuikSand]

Incidentally, I remain perplexed by Carnell Tate getting so much love in mock drafts. He's definitely an "off the field worry" guy and maybe a massive head case. Which I'd overlook if I felt I was seeing truly elite physical talents, but... I don't really feel like he has shown that at tOSU. Maybe I'm missing it, but if this guy has a 30% chance of flaming out by being a bad person, I'm not sure I want to risk that with a top-5 pick, or for this thread, a pick at 1.6. Buckeye or not, Innocent or not, I'm dinging him.

[QuikSand]

My Draft Picks
7.
WAS
Spencer Fano
OT Utah
trade-icon
24.
CLE
Denzel Boston
WR Washington
39.
CLE
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S Toledo
70.
CLE
Connor Lew
OC Auburn
107.
CLE
Jaeden Roberts
OG Alabama
139.
CLE
Preston Hodge
CB Colorado
144.
CLE
Jack Endries
TE Texas
147.
CLE
Red Murdock
LB Buffalo
204.
CLE
Damonic Williams
DT Oklahoma
206.
CLE
Nadame Tucker
EDGE Western Michigan
248.
CLE
TJ Ferguson
OG Syracuse
2027 WAS 2nd

First CLE mock via Just a moment... (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft)

[Danny]

Did you all put Monken up ti publically insulting his own staff and one of the best coordinators in the game?

https://x.com/AndrewSiciliano/status/2018740019700330537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2018740019700330537%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=

[QuikSand]

Well, I guess to comment on the whole situation, I think if we were really in command, the plan would have been:

-Preference would be to keep Schwartz at DC, but if he finds a HC job good for him
-We communicate that preference to HC candidates, suggesting that it's not a line in the sand but we believe it could be a feature-not-bug for an offensive minded HC hire
-Hope to pull off the double and get the next big thing to juice up the O and keep the pretty good thing we had going for the D

I don't know where this will land in the space of a couple of years, but that would have been my preference at the outset of the staff process.

I don't have Monken as a choice, though it feels more high-floor than high-ceiling to me, and most, and... well, it's a little uninspiring, I feel. I'd rather be rolling with Scheelhaase and feel like "maybe this is IT finally," (again).

[JPhillips]

Yeah, the primary need, even before finding a QB, is getting everyone from owner to GM to coaches to be on the same page. They desperately need to all work together towards common goals.

[QuikSand]

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap (https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space)

Not a very encouraging page. These calculations often seem to include some phantom money here and there, but it might be that we're treading in only the very shallow end of the free agent pool this offseason.

[JPhillips]

And there isn't much to be gained through cuts. The max savings from any cut is about 3.7 mil. I'm a firm believer that NFL teams can figure out how to spend whatever they want, but the obvious pathways aren't there for the Browns.

[JPhillips]

Should be a pretty easy assignment given this:

The Browns over the last three years have had:

• Defensive Player of the Year (twice)
• Defensive Rookie of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Assistant Coach of the Year
• Comeback Player of the Year

[JonInMiddleGA]

Should be a pretty easy assignment given this:

AND a pro-bowl QB

[albionmoonlight]

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2019808012161196394?s=20

Normally, when we do this exercise, I understand that for all of our high-level armchair GMing, we wouldn't really do a better job than the high-level professionals who actually run these teams.

But the Browns might be different.

[Danny]

Going from Stefanski and Scwartz to Monken and their new DC is almost certainly going to be a huge downgrade

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/sticktothemodel/status/2019223928200216738?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

Posting here… haven’t looked but seems fun

[QuikSand]

That site seems like a brilliant idea, but there are some big problems with their data set— like what players are worth in trade, or what free agents would demand.

[JPhillips]

Yeah I saw a Bengals guy trade Cedric Johnson and pick 188 for Jeffrey Simmons.

[QuikSand]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free agent WR primer:<br><br>Technically free agents but doubt they hit the open market:<br>-George Pickens<br>-Alec Pierce<br><br>The crown jewels:<br>-Rashid Shaheed<br>-Jalen Coker (ERFA)<br><br>Quality starters:<br>-Romeo Doubs<br>-Jauan Jennings<br>-Wan'Dale Robinson<br><br>Field-stretchers get paid more than you…</p>&mdash; Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/2020197507293204514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This guy is a bit clownish, but this post is fairly on point for a club like ours maybe seeking WR help.

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/sticktothemodel/status/2019223928200216738?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

Posting here… haven’t looked but seems fun

Trying this out, with CLE, and just whistling past the too-good stuff like people lining up to trade us day two picks for marginal players. They have TE Njoku as a big-salary rather than expiring-salary guy, too (or maybe he's duplicated as both?)... will figure that out as best I can.

Summary Link? (https://ibb.co/VWyHZmt3)

Meh, poor execution of a super cool concept. Developer sounds like he's working actively on this, could come together to be nice.

[albionmoonlight]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TE David Njoku announced that he plans to sign elsewhere this free agent season, leaving the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> with $24.3M of (void year) dead cap on his way out.<br><br>Cleveland will treat him as a Post 6/1 release, taking on dead hits of:<br>2026: $9,534,000<br>2027: $14,797,000</p>&mdash; Spotrac (@spotrac) <a href="https://twitter.com/spotrac/status/2021032737357115432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[albionmoonlight]

The bills from the previous regime just keep coming due.

[JPhillips]

Looking at Over the Cap, they have a lot of money they can free up post June 1, but very little prior. I'm not recommending this, but the quickest path to cap room is a restructure of Watson's contract. They've only got about 8 mil in void money. I wonder if they could add a couple of void years with good sized payouts and have Watson accept.

Again, though, I don't think they should do that.

[QuikSand]

Every time we end up contemplating something that feels thoughtful, organized, and deliberate, it’s short lived. We apparently just need to keep in mind that what we are playing here is a sort of “house rules” dynasty, where all manner of factors are unfairly rigged against us to make the challenge even greater.

When we did this exercise with the New York Football Giants, we thought we were taking on a really serious challenge. Ah, those halcyon days, those innocent times.

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/sticktothemodel/status/2019223928200216738?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

Posting here… haven’t looked but seems fun

While his database of "what would it take to sign this free agent" is plenty wonky, he has patched on a good for-right-now solution, and you can force a player to sign at a value you enter. So, if you want Rasheed Shaheed and your website of choice says he's finna get paid $18m, you can enter him as an #18m/yr player and make it happen, regardless of what the site suggests is his proper demand. Lets you scale it to whatever you think is reasonable, up or down.

Good idea, to keep this useful in year one.

[albionmoonlight]

Derek Carr has indicated a desire to unretire. And I don't think that it'd take much to get his rights from the Saints (maybe a 5th?)

That got me thinking about our QB situation. Personally, I'm OK going with Sanders for this season. If he sucks, we get a top pick in a QB-heavy 2027 class. If he's good, then we have our QB.

But it is probably worth the "should we bring a guy in" discussion. Several dudes are out there or will likely be cut or trade eligible.

So does anyone here want to make a case for

Kyler Murray
Tua
Derek Carr
Kirk Cousins
Malik Willis
Aaron Rodgers
Some other QB I am forgetting to mention

[Danny]

You can squash thought of Derek Carr. He doesnt have the mental or emotional toughness to compete for a starting job. Hed prefer to quit on the team than have to complete or mentor a young qb.

[JPhillips]

The problem is that I either want a backup to Sanders who will help him develop and isn't a threat if he struggles or I want a new starter and trade/cut Sanders. I don't want a competition lingering all year. I don't know if anyone on that list is a good fit for either of those roles.

I'm high on Willis, but I'm not sure the PR hit of going from Sanders to Willis is worth it and if Willis stinks that's a job ender for the GM.

[QuikSand]

I could spend time talking myself into Cousins, in that spirit, but it's so unmotivating I'd rather not go through the exercise. I like the plan to just roll with Shedeur and the assumption that next year we make our QB move one way or another.

[Passacaglia]

Are any of them labeled as "mentor"?

Jokingly using FOF terms, but asking seriously. I'd have thought Carr would be a good mentor choice, but maybe not, after Danny's comments.

[flere-imsaho]

+1 to both JPhillips' & QS' posts.

[CrimsonFox]

Whichever oldbie quarterback ends up on the browns they could use oldbie Tyreek Hill to throw it to now...

[albionmoonlight]

I could spend time talking myself into Cousins, in that spirit, but it's so unmotivating I'd rather not go through the exercise. I like the plan to just roll with Shedeur and the assumption that next year we make our QB move one way or another.

This is where I am.

We get information. If he sucks, we'll have a great draft pick. If he does not suck, then we have a cheap young QB who does not suck.

[albionmoonlight]

dola: Out of the list of available guys, I think that Kyler with Todd Monken is the only one that gets me thinking "hey, there could be some real upside here"

But it also feels like bringing in Kyler kind of forces us to run a Kyler-centric offense moreso than a jack-of-all-trades QB. And since I still think that a Kyler experiment is more likely to fail than succeed, that's the kind of decision that could take years to get out from under.

[albionmoonlight]

oh, and I forgot the Shedeur angle. Kyler is not enough of a name to shut up the Shedeur stans. Unless Kyler hits the ground sprinting, we're just asking for the Shedeur circus.

[QuikSand]

G Wyatt Teller is out, no surprise. I'm setting the over/under at 0.5 returning OL starters. Yikes.

[QuikSand]

https://i.postimg.cc/63BX27Dt/cle-gm-summary-1771692941016.png

Another run with the online do-it-all app, that keeps getting incrementally better every time I use it... used Spotrac to set free agent prices, but still felt like I was getting too much value for low-cost signings.

Anyway, went WR-OT-OG with the top three draft picks, and feel pretty good about that overall, as it fits with both the talent in this class and the team needs pretty well.

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/jumosq/status/2025966684390220132?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

Tidy

[JPhillips]

Given our cap, is there anyone on that list we can get?

[albionmoonlight]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top 5 in spending last 5 years ($, Billions):<br><br>1. Browns- $1.456<br>2. 49ers- $1.395<br>3. Jaguars- $1.381<br>4. Bills- $1.361<br>5. Dolphins- $1.339</p>&mdash; Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason_OTC/status/2026666291596054908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Whatever we do, it will be better than what they've been doing

[Passacaglia]

Especially considering like half of that was on Deshaun Watson

[QuikSand]

Spending is just so quirky in the NFL, it's hard to take reports like that seriously. Yes, a few teams actually spend below the cap (calculated as cap effect) in a given year but for the most part, most teams spend close to the same total amount on players. And "cap effect" is a better measure of spending than "cash outlay during a certain period," and at any time the latter is exaggerated based on the timing of huge bonuses.

[QuikSand]

Planting a flag for a mid-round guy. We have Fannin as our receiving TE, we'd like to add a blocking in-line Y guy, without a massive equity investment.

- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCvEXbUA4Q)

Dae&#x27;Quan Wright Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com (https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dae-quan-wright/32005752-4913-6445-cf58-ab054e10be6b)

Let's get him in round 4 or so. I'm hearing mixed things about his run blocking, will continue to dabble.

[JPhillips]

The Browns are hosting Ty Simpson. Just due diligence or are they really going to pull the trigger on a QB?

[JPhillips]

dola

The Browns are reworking the Watson contract to save 36 mil this year, but I've haven't seen any other details.

They aren't competing this year, so I don't get why they'd burn even more future cap space for Watson. Just bite the bullet and cut him next year.

[JPhillips]

double dola

Found the terms for 2027 and 2028.

Dead Cap
2027: $34.6M
2028: $51.6M

The Watson contract eliminates any benefit from a rookie deal QB. Solid work.

[flere-imsaho]

Such a poorly-run franchise. Boggles the mind.

[QuikSand]

We want a slow day today, Browns shouldn't be in the overspend wave for anything. Filling holes here and there is better done after the initial dust settles.

We want Charlie Kolar Friday for $4m, not Isaiah Likely today for $11m, frex.

[albionmoonlight]

Yup. Teams that "win" the first day of free agency tend not to win much else

[Danny]

Oh I dont know, Patriots were thought to be big winners last year and that turned out ok. Obviously depends on your teams cap situation.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm 100% certain QuikSand is putting in more work on this than the Browns' front office.

[cuervo72]

lol

[QuikSand]

Best top of market for… LG Zion Johnson? Were we hoping to pass the ball at all? Ugh.

[QuikSand]

Okay, beyond ZJ things have been quiet. That’s mostly correct.

In the next few days, if we start to see a couple second or third contract guys sliding into place, I don’t hate that. I actually prefer that they didn’t spend big money to hold onto their off the ball linebacker Devin Neal. If the going rate for those guys is 10 or $15 million per year, I think we are better off staying cheap.

[QuikSand]

Elgton Jenkins signing fine by me. I think he was better at guard than center, but both are needs. I would pencil in a third round pick for a center, this year.

[QuikSand]

Calm is okay

[Passacaglia]

lol

https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-propose-rule-allowing-teams-to-trade-draft-picks-five-years-into-future

[QuikSand]

So every sharp now has CLE taking OT Monroe Freeland at 1.6.

I think our call here is fairly obvious - we're just better off trading down. Can still get a LT to be optimistic about without buying fully in to the guy of the moment. And we're in a great spot to peddle the pick to some team who now suddenly feels they might Love to draft a superstar RB here.

Getting near-QB value for pick 6 is the first and best option for us, as this draft is at best a B+ for both WR and OL. I think J Love is the key to making it come together, and getting someone like Carolina (?) decide to really push in at RB.

[albionmoonlight]

The Saints signing Etienne hurts us here. That was a pretty obvious Love spot, but now you have to convince a team that Washington will take him at 1.7 to get the high-value trade down.

[QuikSand]

Love this proposition as we're the Browns, we are gonna be clever and pull the wool over someone stupid here.

[Danny]

I think this will be a difficult year to trade down and get any value.

[GrantDawg]

I think this will be a difficult year to trade down and get any value.


This. It actually might be a great year to trade out for more draft capital next year.

[QuikSand]

https://ctrlv.link/7Zry

Random mock draft. Went top edge, then OT, then big WR at the top. Feel okay about this, in the absence of trade-down options from 1.6.

[flere-imsaho]

I am reading this and enjoying your contributions, QS, but don't have too much to add.

[QuikSand]

Oddly, even though the Browns have some interesting situations, they may not have been a great choice for this because they are so cap strapped by the QB deal that they have had precious little room to move in free agency. Last season with the Bears, it felt like we got to contemplate a much wider range of ideas than we are limited to here.

Alas... we took the Browns. We knew it was gonna suck.

[QuikSand]

via https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/mock-draft-simulator

Rams deal up for our pick, we get 1.13 and their 2nd + 5th, roughly the sort of deal I want to happen IRL so I'm taking it here... and I really love how this came together. Maybe waited too long to target IOL but still got one of the "tier" of guys there (mostly true centers) among whom I'm having trouble separating. Most of my picks are coming from near the top of the "consensus" boards available, so the letter grades are good. Over time, I tend to fall in love here and there and my reach players tend to suffer lower letter grades, even as I like them.

13
Monroe Freeling
OT | Georgia
A+

24 Jordyn Tyson
WR | Arizona State
A+

39
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S | Toledo
A

70
Gabe Jacas
EDGE | Illinois
A+

107
Logan Jones
IOL | Iowa
A+

141
Justin Joly
TE | NC State
A

146
Tacario Davis
CB | Washington
A+

149
Kaleb Elarms-Orr
LB | TCU
A

206
Landon Robinson
DL | Navy
A+

248
Cyrus Allen
WR | Cincinnati
B+

[JPhillips]

I think the plan has to be draft and then fill holes with min salary guys.

[JPhillips]

dola

7 of the known 11 visits for the Browns have been WR.

[QuikSand]

they'd better be

[QuikSand]

...meaning that I think you can make a solid case for the Browns taking a WR with any of their top four picks, so they'd better be looking at a fairly wide range at the position.

[albionmoonlight]

The JSN contract puts WR squarely in the top tier positions. Value shopping would indicate that getting one (or two) on rookie deals is a great use of our draft capital.

[QuikSand]

I think that's the right mindset overall... the high value positions are emerging as:

QB

EDGE/WR/OT

(rare impact player elsewhere)

(the rest)

Someone is gonna draft RB Love at, say, pick 8 -- and get him for $8m a year. That's an exciting player but it's not much cheaper than signing a top-of-market RB, and if the NFL is a cap management contest in large part, that's a major consideration.

The Chiefs actively decide to pay up for RB1 and use that top pick at Edge, OT, or maybe cover corner hoping for a big hit.

[flere-imsaho]

CB dropping out of being a high value position?

[albionmoonlight]

Probably a good discussion to have.

With the way contemporary defenses are so scheme dependent and interconnected, I think that the value of a "just lock that one WR down and forget about it" CB has diminished.

I'd still certainly put CB ahead of LB and S value-wise. And every 10 years when a Revis type shows up, I think that he resets the market.

But in general, I think that elite WR now has more value that elite CB.

Of course, Indy traded 2 firsts for Sauce just last season, which undercuts my thesis.

Like I said, there's a good discussion to be had.

[flere-imsaho]

Maybe we're in transition where teams who can't acquire an elite WR1 can still generate a top passing attack with a bunch of good WRs, and in that kind of situation you want a good group of CBs (and/or a good defensive scheme in general) and a shutdown CB would be a waste.

Plus, most of the time you can kinda/sorta minimize an elite WR1 if you bracket them (although sometimes you're just going to lose), so much like how the rest of defenses are going, a group of quality flexible parts is preferred as long as they can generate the outcomes you're looking for.

[QuikSand]

CB dropping out of being a high value position?

i think there are around 4-8 "shut down" corners who make a claim to being game changers... witness two 1sts for Sauce... but the market for a "pretty good starting corner" feels like it's a full click lower than that or receivers or edges... like CB15 in the NFL makes $20m, EDGE15 makes $30m now

also, DB metrics are oddly noisy, guys who rate top-5 one year can drop to 50th the next year and that's common with DBs, but way less common with most other positions... when you have LT Trent Williams, as long as he's healthy, you just book him for top tier outcomes...mostly the same with the top WRs, I think

[bhlloy]

It’s such a scheme and teammate dependent position. Not sure any corner is going to look decent in a scheme that relies on aggression and quick pressure and turns out the pass rushers actually suck.

I’m also not sure the list of true shut down guys is even that long.

[QuikSand]

Browns mock via:
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/mock-draft-simulator

All my trade-down offers were really trade-out or trade-WAY-down, so I'm sitting tight and trying to make a splash at 6.

6Browns Logo
Caleb Downs
S | Ohio State
B+

24
Kadyn Proctor
OT | Alabama
A+

55
Emmanuel Pregnon
IOL | Oregon
A

70
Chris Brazzell
WR | Tennessee
A+

86
Connor Lew
IOL | Auburn
B+

107
Sam Roush
TE | Stanford
A

146
Ephesians Prysock
CB | Washington
B

149
Dae'Quan Wright
TE | Mississippi
C+

160
Barion Brown
WR | LSU
F

201
Jimmy Rolder
LB | Michigan
A+

206
Max Llewellyn
EDGE | Iowa
A+

248
Tyren Montgomery
WR | John Carroll
B+


So, I am definitely starting to land on certain guys I like, and will just keep taking them in the later rounds. I still don't have strong feelings among the true centers in this class, but support during a 3rd/4th there to get one of the guys available in that range. I've got like 6 TEs I "want on my team" so I will likely just keep drafting 2x in most mocks here, as I think it's a strong position in a weak class (and because mediocre veteran TEs are pulling down 8-10m/yr contracts, it feels like a RB-like situation where the money play is to get a solid guy for TE2 and TE3 off the low end of the draft class every couple seasons, and let other teams spend real money to have Daniel Bellinger or whatnot.

[QuikSand]

Ephesians Prysock highlights via YouTube
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbQQy92iVrw)

Draft prospect porn, not shocking, but I like his play near the line of scrimmage, I think you always have work for a guy with those skills, I like him as a mid-round pick for CLE. May never be your CB1/2 but if he's CB3/4 for 4 years dirt cheap, tally the dub.

[QuikSand]

Barion Brown
LSU 2025 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bi_mKzAORY)
Kentucky 2024 - You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo_WNDjgFoM)

Seems like and end-of-draft guy, I see him playing outside for LSU but maybe he's primarily a slot in the NFL. Regardless, slippery guy with solid route running and plus return skills, I think there's a role for a zone beater like that in a world of two-high defenses.

[JPhillips]

I draft Ephesians Prysock for the name alone.

[QuikSand]

Keeping it going via
Just a moment... (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft)

10.
CIN
Monroe Freeling
OT Georgia

24.
CLE
KC Concepcion
WR Texas A&M

39.
CLE
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S Toledo

52.
GB
Cashius Howell
EDGE Texas A&M

70.
CLE
Sam Hecht
OC Kansas State

107.
CLE
Ephesians Prysock
CB Washington

146.
CLE
Sam Roush
TE Stanford

149.
CLE
Taurean York
LB Texas A&M

206.
CLE
Barion Brown
WR LSU

248.
CLE
Will Kacmarek
TE Ohio State

2027 GB 2nd

[QuikSand]

Keep on mocking in the CLE world...

Via 2026 NFL Mock Draft Simulator – Multi-Team Drafting & Custom Big Boards | FanSpeak (https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock-nfl-mock-draft-simulator/draft)

Looks like no trades, that's more realistic than making 18 slide-down deals and grabbing a zillion future picks, we'll try to take this seriously

= = = = =

Rd #1

Pick 6

Arvell Reese(LB)

Rd #1

Pick 24

Olaivavega Ioane(G)

Rd #2

Pick 7

Max Iheanachor(OT)

Rd #3

Pick 6

Jake Golday(LB)

Rd #4

Pick 7

Will Lee III(CB)

Rd #5

Pick 1

Parker Brailsford(C)

Rd #5

Pick 6

Jack Endries(TE)

Rd #5

Pick 9

Ephesians Prysock(CB)

Rd #6

Pick 25

Barion Brown(WR)

Rd #7

Pick 32

Will Kacmarek(TE)

= = = = =

Dude, I fuckin ate this up, I love this draft.

[QuikSand]

Tonight's mock...
2026 NFL Mock Draft Simulator – Multi-Team Drafting & Custom Big Boards | FanSpeak (https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock-nfl-mock-draft-simulator/draft)

no trades, and again i don't like the value at OT for pick 1.6, so...

Rd #1

Pick 6

Caleb Downs(S)

Rd #1

Pick 24

Denzel Boston(WR)

Rd #2

Pick 7

Blake Miller(OT)

Rd #3

Pick 6

Keylan Rutledge(G)

Rd #4

Pick 7

Jake Slaughter(C)

Rd #5

Pick 1

Justin Joly(TE)

Rd #5

Pick 6

Charles Demmings(CB)

Rd #5

Pick 9

Josh Cameron(WR)

Rd #6

Pick 25

Dae'Quan Wright(TE)

Rd #7

Pick 32

Brent Austin(CB)

[QuikSand]

Another mock, today's via https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

Have our choice of the OT, with WR Tate off the board with the edges. I'd like to deal down from a position like this wherever I can. Saints send us their 2nd to deal down to 1.8 - perfect start. Minnesota next, sending future considerations and their pick at 18 for ours. Great, this is the move I really want this year.

We just miss out on Freeling, but I'm glad to take OT Proctor at 18 and target a massive team need with a guy I like a good deal. KC Concepcion can get open, and that's enough to stand pat and target him with our additional 1st from Jacksonville at 24. I like this start a lot.

At 39 and 42 I feel like we can target needs or just fill in, and I lean into the latter. I'll plumb deeper for pass catchers later.

Here's the final haul:
Pasteboard - Uploaded Image (https://pasteboard.co/7LB0aauHAVFq.png)

https://pasteboard.co/7LB0aauHAVFq.png

Waited too long on a couple guys I really like, but bounding from model to model has kept me on my toes to that possibility. Feel good but not great about the back end of this one, after a better first round playout than we have a right to expect.

[QuikSand]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There's a non-zero chance Eli Heidenreich is just a white Percy Harvin<br><br>And, well... How sick would it be if we lived in that timeline?<br><br>Dank stats to follow: <a href="https://t.co/Uv8ZsxQR3n">pic.twitter.com/Uv8ZsxQR3n</a></p>&mdash; Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottBarrettDFB/status/2037228182743535799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Barrett is a genuine fantasy FB sharp, I think this is conjecture of course, but getting RB/WR/KR Heidenreich as an exciting utility player and return man, a guy who surely would put his heart into a ST/fringe role... sign me up. I have seen him play a bit and his measurables surprised me, I would have thought of him as less compelling there. Probably need to beat the Patriots to the punch there, though, right?

[Atocep]

Some overrated/underrated guys with some other thoughts:

Overrated: Carnell Tate (solid but the ceiling isn't there for where he's being mocked IMO), Messidor (25 years old, surgery on both feet, ok-ish athleticism), Zion Young (I just don't get the love this guy is getting. Seems like it's based on nothing).

Underrated: KC Concepcion (will be scheme dependent but I like the skillset), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Elite box type safety), Keldric Faulk (he's slipping in mocks but still has great athleticism, is a 3 down edge, and is young for the class), Omar Cooper (big receiver that I'd have just a hair above Tate)

Some other thoughts:

Garrett Nussmeir - The QB I'd be most willing to bet on after Mendoza. I don't love him as a prospect but I think the ceiling is there but the floor is really low too.

Jordyn Tyson - The one receiver with true elite potential in this class. The injuries are a concern and the floor is low here too.

Jonah Coleman - My RB sleeper in this class. Not a home run hitter but still solid speed and that bowling ball back build. Can catch the ball out of the backfield as well.

David Bailey - I don't why this guy is getting mocked anywhere lower than 3rd. Mendoza is 1 and then the only guy that should be in the conversation with Bailey is Reese.

Caleb Downs - Love him but there are 3 elite safeties in this class and I'm not sure the difference in them is worth the 15+ draft slots we're seeing mocked. Taking a safety in the top 10 is also scary. They've become the running backs of the defensive side where finding good ones is pretty easy and you question the value of all but the top 2-3 in the league.

[QuikSand]

David Bailey - I don't why this guy is getting mocked anywhere lower than 3rd. Mendoza is 1 and then the only guy that should be in the conversation with Bailey is Reese.

I'm moving this direction as well. Son and I have him at 3 on our big board now, and I got some money in at +270 for that exact slot.

[JPhillips]

I saw someone who looked at yards per target vs. zone and Concepcion is really poor. There was a list of round one WR picks with a similar number and all of them were busts.

[QuikSand]

I saw someone who looked at yards per target vs. zone and Concepcion is really poor. There was a list of round one WR picks with a similar number and all of them were busts.

Concepcion has a LOT of drops, and that upends all the metrics. You kinda have to decide whether that's a permanent skill deficit, or something that can be trained and at least partially corrected. He gets open more than most, wouldn't surprise me if he's a man-beater primarily (and thus weak numbers against zone defenses) but a guy dropping that many is going to end up weak in yards-per-anything. If you do some manual figuring that he comes halfway or more toward the mean in catchable passes dropped, then he starts to look pretty productive.

[QuikSand]

Today via
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/mock-draft-simulator

Both trade-down offers from 1.6 are unpalatable so this might feel closer to reality where we just need to suck it up and pick at 6. Mauioga is gone, so it's among the other OT or else just a BPA pick... I don't think I'm taking a WR at this slot under any circumstances now, even though I may have taken Tate in an earlier cycle somewhere.

6
David Bailey
EDGE | Texas Tech
A

24
Kadyn Proctor
OT | Alabama
A+

39
Colton Hood
CB | Tennessee
A+

70
Malachi Fields
WR | Notre Dame
A+

107
Bryce Lance
WR | North Dakota State
B+

146
Kaleb Elarms-Orr
LB | TCU
A

149
Dontay Corleone
DL | Cincinnati
A

206
Nate Boerkircher
TE | Texas A&M
A+

248
Barion Brown
WR | LSU
C


Just great value all the way down. Again missed on some of my pets but that's better. I will start forcing Heidenreich in the 5th as a test of what ripple effects that causes (and then I'll skip BBrown as they have too much overlap in ideal role).

[Atocep]

I think Proctor ends up being good value. Questionable as a top 10 or top 15 guy but once you get into the 20s, worst case scenario is he likely ends up being a solid guard.

[JPhillips]

Reading a bit on how the NFL's version of Trackman data is changing how teams prepare for the draft. They can get so much data from game film now including speed, angles, mass vs mass, body angles, etc. This was about the Rams, but I'm sure a number of teams are moving well beyond game film and combine data.

This guy was expecting DT Kaleb Proctor to go high based on all of this kind of data.

[QuikSand]

Getting a little stale...

6Browns Logo
David Bailey
EDGE | Texas Tech
A
24Browns Logo
Kadyn Proctor
OT | Alabama
A+
50Browns Logo
Emmanuel Pregnon
IOL | Oregon
A
70Browns Logo
Jake Golday
LB | Cincinnati
A
107Browns Logo
Ja'Kobi Lane
WR | USC
A
128Browns Logo
Sam Roush
TE | Stanford
A+
146Browns Logo
Ephesians Prysock
CB | Washington
A
149Browns Logo
Eli Heidenreich
WR | Navy
F
157Browns Logo
Dontay Corleone
DL | Cincinnati
A+
206Browns Logo
Will Kacmarek
TE | Ohio State
B
248Browns Logo
Tyren Montgomery
WR | John Carroll
B+

[JPhillips]

I like waiting on the WR. I know they need playmakers, but I'm just completely unsure of who will be a breakout in the first two rounds. There's a huge lack of high floor/high ceiling guys. I think I really want to grab OL and defense and worry about QB/WR next year when we have picks and cash.

[QuikSand]

WR Ja'Kobi Lane has a few data points suggesting he might be a mid-round value target. Broke out at a young age, and at WR especially that feels like an under-appreciated bit of info with age-versus-class being such a variable.

[QuikSand]

...putting more flesh on the bones, there... for nearly every NFL draft pick at WR, the guys has traits of course, but nearly always has at least one season of real production. Often "elite" production, like worthy of a WR 1 for a high quality college program.

How old was the player when he turned the corner to that level? Quite a lot of the "picked early but never really made it big in the NFL" guys are from the pattern where their two years as top college performers were when they were 20 and 21 years old... breakout at 20.5 years as a relatively negative indicator. Contrast that with Amon-Ra St. Brown, a guy who broke out into a strong starter at age 18, and then COVID altered his final college season... but his breakout age was on the early side, a nice indicator. (Yes, be leery of creating custom stat profiles based on anecdotes of recent memory)

It seems like Lane, who doesn't even turn 21 until August, sits right in the red zone for this particular breakout pattern, and when trying to pick guys from that tier who all have weaknesses or defects, might as well go young AF and see if he's still trending upward physically.

[Atocep]

I've done more work this year checking the ages of the draft prospects I'm looking at than any other year. With the number of 5th and 6th year guys out there it's a key data point. Guys that break out after 4th year in school have an awful track record.

For receivers in the pre-covid year era and NIL era, guys that were still in school after 3 years were busts more often than not. It feels like NIL is going to really change some data points when it comes to projection models.

[QuikSand]

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/prospect-overview/combine-visits

guy has added a tool to track the 30 prospect visits reported for each team

CLE has shown acute/clear interest in WRs Tate, Lemon, Boston and OTs Mauigoa, Lomu, and Proctor. Nothing shocking there, they're sniffing in the same areas I would be, I think, though I believe I lean toward BPA-OL-BPA more than OL/WR-WR/OL-BPA.

[JPhillips]

National drafts seem to be settling on Tate at 6 and I don't like that.

[Danny]

National drafts seem to be settling on Tate at 6 and I don't like that.

He seems such an overrated prospect. Im not sure i like him any more than Cooper and Boston

[QuikSand]

via https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

No trades, just powering through:

Pasteboard - Uploaded Image (https://www.pasteboard.co/XGpsZAyR0TcR.png)

Open with

S Downs
WR Boston
G Pregnon
EDGE Keyron Crawford (my latest crush)

Don't land the early tackle and I don't see how that happens, but... still like it.

[bhlloy]

WR Ja'Kobi Lane has a few data points suggesting he might be a mid-round value target. Broke out at a young age, and at WR especially that feels like an under-appreciated bit of info with age-versus-class being such a variable.

Saw this and meant to comment - Lane is a funny prospect, physically he’s a borderline mid-late first rounder, long, bursty and good for one how the hell did he catch that a game. Comes with a lot of risk and downside, lots of bad drops and penalties, soft/undeveloped physically and lots of smoke that his immaturity caused issues with coaches. The two USC WR in this draft are total opposites of each other, if you put them together you’d have a potential #1 pick.

If he gets to the NFL and adds strength and gets his head right, he’s a starter on the outside for sure. Great risk/reward if you can get him in the late 3rd/4th although there’s always multiple WR prospects you can say that about.

[QuikSand]

I feel like there's so often some narrative along these lines for non-premium players at blue chip programs. If the starting RT from Alabama isn't projected to go top-50, then buckle up because there's gonna be a story there.

[Atocep]

Couple more guys I kind of like:

Ted Hurst - Small school guy with a some serious upside. Great speed, great size, some drop issues, but a lot of traits to bet on for a mid round guy.

Sam Roush - Seems like the type of TE that settles into the league for a long career. Really good blocker with upside as a receiver. RAS is the best in the class and 11th all time among TEs. The receiving side is still raw but he can play early as a blocker while he develops.

This is the weirdest WR group I can remember. I think the class overall is better than it gets credit for, but every single prospect has more warts than you would like. The top of the draft isn't elite but the late first into the middle rounds has a ton of depth.

[JPhillips]

Tate only has visits with picks 4-9.

[QuikSand]

Couple more guys I kind of like:

Ted Hurst - Small school guy with a some serious upside. Great speed, great size, some drop issues, but a lot of traits to bet on for a mid round guy.

Sam Roush - Seems like the type of TE that settles into the league for a long career. Really good blocker with upside as a receiver. RAS is the best in the class and 11th all time among TEs. The receiving side is still raw but he can play early as a blocker while he develops.

This is the weirdest WR group I can remember. I think the class overall is better than it gets credit for, but every single prospect has more warts than you would like. The top of the draft isn't elite but the late first into the middle rounds has a ton of depth.

solid +1 to everything here, there's not a ton of Ted Hurst tape out there, but the athleticism is sexy

[QuikSand]

Mock via https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

Trade down from 6 to later in the 1st, let's see where we land in tackletown:

Have our choice of several, I take Proctor at pick 19, WR Boston at 24, DE Lawrence at 39, and then an Atocep-endorsed run of WR Ted Hurst at 70, TE Roush at 107.

Pasteboard - Uploaded Image (https://www.pasteboard.co/H5IbDobYjGfb.png)

Really like this one too.

[JPhillips]

Finally did something on PFN that I've thought about for a while. I turned this year's draft into 37 extra picks for the 2027 draft.

We'll just start over next year.

[QuikSand]

Just a moment... (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft)

I'll resist the temptation to try to gain 50 picks in '27 and instead stay pretty close to the basics, and just do a vanilla "take it seriously" mock... using their "consensus" list, whatever that is...

DE Bailey is available at 6, but I'mma skip that and stay on track with the options I think they are more focused on here... I take Fano over Mauioga as a personal preference.

Miami sends us pick 75 to trade from 30 to 24, done deal.

(and then I mis-clicked and lost the draft... dang it was goin' great, too)

ok, starting over...

13.
LAR
Monroe Freeling
OT Georgia
trade-icon
A
25.
CHI
KC Concepcion
WR Texas A&M
trade-icon
A-
39.
CLE
Malachi Lawrence
EDGE UCF
D-
61.
LAR
Keith Abney II
CB Arizona State
trade-icon
A
70.
CLE
Sam Hecht
OC Kansas State
A+
146.
CLE
Sam Roush
TE Stanford
C
149.
CLE
Keyron Crawford
EDGE Auburn
F
206.
CLE
Will Kacmarek
TE Ohio State
B-
248.
CLE
Barion Brown
WR LSU
B-
2027 CHI 2nd
2027 LAR 2nd

Pick up some capital next year with reasonable deal-down to 13, still get a T we like, and while I don't think he's lasting to pick 40 in real life, very glad about DE Lawrence in the early 2nd. Missed out on a couple of my standards, but got two tight ends, two linemen, two edge rushers, and two receivers all from my emerging list of "my guys." The CB was just a BPA pickup, but that's gravy, deliberately.

[albionmoonlight]

R1 #6 Francis Mauigoa — OT, Miami (FL)
R2 #33 Kevin Concepcion — WR, Texas A&M
R2 #39 Emmanuel Pregnon — IOL, Oregon
R2 #44 Zion Young — EDGE, Missouri
R2 #50 Chris Bell — WR, Louisville
R5 #149 DeMonte Capehart — DL, Clemson
R6 #206 Will Kacmarek — TE, Ohio State
R7#248 Robert Spears-Jennings — S, Oklahoma

Trade: CLE sends #24, #107 to NYJ for #33, #44
Trade: CLE sends #70, #141, #146, 2027 3rd rounder to JAX for #50

Tried to fill a lot of holes by focusing on the second round. Double dipped at WR b/c I think that Bell has a lot of potential and we can afford to be patient on his ACL.

[JPhillips]

Brugler says the Browns are trying to trade back from 6.

[QuikSand]

Brugler says the Browns are trying to trade back from 6.

This is the way.

[Danny]

Brugler says the Browns are trying to trade back from 6.

I think this will be a tough one to trade down with in the top 10-15 Weak top of the draft after Mendoza and i dont know who will be all that motivated to trade up. Maybe if Love is still on the board at 6

[Atocep]

I think Dallas at 12 would be the most likely. I could definitely see Jerry falling in love with Styles or Downs.

[QuikSand]

I think Dallas at 12 would be the most likely. I could definitely see Jerry falling in love with Styles or Downs.

My son and I have our "big board" in progress, and currently we have that exact move embedded - Cowboys deal up for Styles at 6, and Browns still get a first tier tackle at 12, pretty good deal-down option, I think.

[QuikSand]

Quick mock via
https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock-nfl-mock-draft-simulator/setup

Wary here, as I think I recall this site engine is garbage...

Anyway: We deal down to 12 and pick up picks in rounds 3-4-5 from Dallas... quantity over quality I guess, but we are doing some serious building and this should let me really pull in a lot of my favorites.

So yeah, in round two I remember why I hate this site. Way too much consensus talent slipping too far: TE Sadiq and others still here I will skip as being unreasonable but later on it won't be as clear how to do that.

Rd #1

Pick 12

Spencer Fano(OT)

Rd #1

Pick 24

Kevin Concepcion(WR)

Rd #2

Pick 7

Malachi Lawrence(EDGE)

Rd #3

Pick 6

Connor Lew(C)

Rd #3

Pick 28

Ted Hurst(WR)

Rd #4

Pick 7

Sam Roush(TE)

Rd #4

Pick 27

Jonah Coleman(RB)

Rd #4

Pick 39

Michael Taaffe(S)

Rd #5

Pick 6

Ephesians Prysock(CB)

Rd #5

Pick 9

Hezekiah Masses(CB)

Rd #5

Pick 37

Eli Heidenreich(WR)

Rd #6

Pick 25

Dae'Quan Wright(TE)

Rd #7

Pick 32

Patrick Payton(EDGE)



Just "my guys" at this point, all the way down. I think WR/RB/KR Eli Heidenreich is getting enough buzz that he's likely going in round 5 or even 4. I still get DE Malachi Lawrence into round 2 in most mocks, but my bet on him going in round one back when it was at +180 is feeling really strong, last I saw he was down to -115.

[QuikSand]

I'm on site in the greater Cleveland area, and ready to mock again:
via https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

Fano at 14 after trade-downs, S McNeil-Warren at 24, DE Lawrence in the early 2nd as always, and G Pregnon with an extra pick gained by dealing down. Waiting at QB and grabbing two guys later. Love this approach.

Pasteboard - Uploaded Image (https://www.pasteboard.co/jmjVDk5IYKPY.png)

[Atocep]

I really like McNeil-Warren. Pairing him with Fano would be an ideal round 1.

[QuikSand]

Trtying to slow down and take these mocks seriously... it's just too tempting to do a WTF every time. Minimizing real trades, and taking fewer of these "I really like this guy, hoping he falls some more" risks, so here's on in that vein:

Via Just a moment... (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft)
Using "The Athletic" as the big board, for a change...

= = = = =

I really want to deal down from 6, even at a modest loss of book value. I like Fano and Freeling enough to have either one be my top pick in the 10-16 range, and I like the OT options at 24 enough to settle for that if need be.

So, MIA offers 11 and 30 for 6 and 70, and that seems fantastic. I grab it. I doubt that presents in real life, they're similarly filling many grave roster needs, but we'll bite.

S Downs is still on the board at 11, which I think is indeed possible, and it wrenches my plans a good deal. It feels too "out there" to build in as a serious prediction. I pause and then decide to take him ahead of Fano, pursuing a tone-setter in the secondary.

SF wants to jump from 27 to 24, and we get 107 to 58 for the privilege, great, that offsets the loss of pick 70 earlier, fantastic. With 27 and 30, I want OT and I am now pretty deeply sold on Edge Malachi Lawrence from UCF, who's 36 on this big board. I decide T Miller is the guy to grab first, and I'll live if we lose Lawrence... we get both, great.

Pick 39 would ideally be a WR here, but none of the sensible targets fell, and I'm looking BPA. LB Golday really intrigues me, paired next to Scwesinger. I mean, I really like this, even knowing that it leaves target positions untended for a long while, potentially. In this mock I now hold pick 58, and that makes me feel like I can go upside-WR there and feel like I'm staying the course more or less. Golday it is.

I'm rejecting an unreasonably strong offer at 58 (seems silly) to try to grab one of the upside receivers. Only three guys off the board since 39, so that feels like a fairly smart parlay. G Pregnon is still here and I have been taking him at 39 in many mocks, that feels tempting. And I don't have WR Stribling that far ahead of the surrounding tier of guys... so I take another BPA, though G is really a need position either short or medium term.

LONG wait until pick 146, watched all the next tier of talent I liked just evaporate. I've got targets here, but that was an eternity.

I'm taking my plant-a-flag guy CB Prysock here, and then TE Roush via Atocep in this thread. Have just flaked out on receivers now, the commentariat are surely dragging our foolish approach. We let leak a rumor we're signing Deebo.

Into the 200s, I still like TEs as my BPA at every pick, it's absurd. We'll grab local small-college standout WR Tyren Montgomery, who's a bad upside play, but intriguing as a "could actually contribute" selection here. I like him a bit for the Browns especially. Cap it off with a tweener DL, Skyler Gill-Howard out of Texas Tech, who feels like an interesting puzzle piece with modest capital invested.

= = = = =

11. Caleb Downs, S Ohio State, A
27. Blake Miller, OT Clemson, A-
30. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE UCF, D-
39. Jake Golday, LB Cincinnati, C+
58. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG Oregon, B+
146. Ephesians Prysock, CB Washington, C+
149. Sam Roush, TE Stanford, C
206.Tyren Montgomery,WR John Carroll, C-
248.Skyler Gill-Howard, DT Texas Tech, B-

The letter grades are me "reaching" according to the consensus board used, but overall... I like this. If T Miller can play left tackle (unclear) and works out, then I love this, overall. But I still reject the notion that we reached for DE Malachi Lawrence, I think he goes somewhere in the 24-32 range in real life, and I don't see any mock databases placing him there with any reliability.

So maybe next year is the receiver year. Maybe we get a generational talent there with pick 3? Go get 'em Shedeur.

[JPhillips]

I'm okay with making the defense all-world and hitting the offense next year with picks and cash.

[JPhillips]

Chat GPT really nails the draft.

If you were the GM for the Cleveland Browns, who would you pick for every pick the team has in the 2026 NFL draft?

Round 1 – Quarterback (franchise swing)

Pick: Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
If he declares and develops as expected, Klubnik has the tools—mobility, arm talent, and poise—to be a modern NFL starter. The Browns need a long-term answer, not another stopgap. If he’s gone, pivot to best QB available (or trade up).

Round 2 – Offensive Tackle

Pick: Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) (if he somehow slips; otherwise best OT available)
You’ve got to protect your QB investment. Even if the current line is solid, injuries and aging make this a priority. A versatile tackle who can start early is key.

Round 3 – Wide Receiver

Pick: Evan Stewart (Oregon)
Dynamic separator with speed. Cleveland’s offense has lacked consistent explosiveness—this adds it immediately and helps a young QB.

Round 4 – Linebacker

Pick: Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU) (if available; otherwise similar hybrid LB)
Modern, fast, versatile defender who can cover and rush. Fits today’s NFL perfectly and adds juice to the front seven.

Round 5 – Defensive Tackle

Pick: Deone Walker (Kentucky)
Big-bodied interior presence who can eat space and push the pocket. Helps against both the run and interior protection.

Round 6 – Running Back

Pick: TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
By this stage, you’re looking for value and upside. Henderson’s explosiveness and pass-catching ability make him a great committee back.

Round 7 – Safety / Special Teams

Pick: Malachi Moore (Alabama)
Smart, versatile defensive back who can contribute on special teams right away and provide depth in the secondary.

Big-picture strategy
Swing big at QB early – everything revolves around that.
Reinforce trenches – tackle + DT keep the team competitive.
Add speed on offense – WR + RB to modernize the attack.
Target versatile defenders – today’s defenses need flexibility.

[albionmoonlight]

Dallas just reported that they are not going to sign Pickens to a long-term deal and will have him play on franchise tag this season.

I'm picking up the phone right now and offering them pick 39 for Pickens.

Yeah, we can't afford to pay him, but we'll make it work somehow. WRs are becoming the new DEs--worth giving up real value to acquire the good ones.

[Atocep]

Dallas just reported that they are not going to sign Pickens to a long-term deal and will have him play on franchise tag this season.

I'm picking up the phone right now and offering them pick 39 for Pickens.

Yeah, we can't afford to pay him, but we'll make it work somehow. WRs are becoming the new DEs--worth giving up real value to acquire the good ones.

WRs are kind of weird. I agree that the good ones are worth real value, but I feel that the good to average ones are overvalued and a place where teams routinely make poor cap decisions. There's maybe 15-20 legit dudes at the position and then a whole bunch of guys are a product of QB/system.

[Atocep]

I'm okay with making the defense all-world and hitting the offense next year with picks and cash.

I think Reese and Bailey are no brainers if either are there at 6. Kick the tires and see if someone is willing to overpay if they're sitting there, but if not, then you take them.

Outside of that, a trade down makes the most sense. KC may want to take advantage of drafting this high and take their shot at an elite talent. Dallas is always looking to add big names so Jerry trading up is going to be in play. They apparently love Jordyn Tyson as well, which is why the Giants may have to grab him at 5 if they really want him because if he gets past them Jerry has no problem trading up. Having Lamb and Pickens and then trading up to take Tyson would be the most Jerry thing Jerry could do.

If Reese and Bailey aren't there and trading down isn't an option I'd lean toward Fano at 6. Maybe a few slots high for him, but the positional value outweighs taking someone like Downs when there are other options at safety later that would be more in range of the positional value there. Receivers are a premium position but I don't think Tate or Tyson are elite/sure thing enough to not just wait until later to target a receiver. I'd rather try to leverage them to see if someone will trade up.

So the way I see the 6th pick:

Plan A - Trade down
Plan B - Take Reese or Bailey
Plan C - Take Fano

For the 24th pick:

Plan A - WR/OL depending on what happened at 6
Plan B - BPA

Things to avoid in round 1:

Do not take Love. Do not do something stupid like take Ty Simpson. Don't take a non-premium position at 6.

[JPhillips]

Pelissero is saying Carson Beck is going to go in the 2nd or maybe even late 1st.

Don't do it, Browns.

[QuikSand]

Down to 9, still get T, I’m good w that assuming the price is fair

[Atocep]

On track so far

[QuikSand]

Like it

[JPhillips]

Two more picks and still get who they saw as T1 is very good. I hope they look to move up tomorrow and Sat. with all of those picks.

[QuikSand]

Lemon falling, wonder if they’re working the phones. I might be. I’ve been mocking Concepcion at 24 a lot but maybe Lemon is a click higher?

[QuikSand]

Concepcion please

[QuikSand]

Thank you

[Atocep]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Browns front office was reading this thread.

[JPhillips]

QS just crushing this.

[GrantDawg]

QS just crushing this.


The super computer at work.

[QuikSand]

OK gang. We’re up again at pick 39, then a wait until 70 and 74. Definitely does not feel like an urgent need to move up, we have good options at 39. I think I would take phone calls about a move down, to pick up a day three pick or two, or especially to pick up draft Next year, which apparently most teams are reluctant to yield.

Assuming we stay at or around 39, and then have to wait about a full round before we go again, it seems to be the top targets ought to be:

S McNeil-Warren - much discussed here, local-ish guy, good fit

OL Bisontis or Pregnon

Edge rusher Howell (goes at 33 I expect), Young, or Parker

CB Terrell (gone by 39?) or pick one based on scheme fit


I would basically be fine with anybody on that list above. If they want to force an off Ball linebacker, like Rodriguez, I’d be OK with that also.

There are a number of wide receivers available, intriguing in various ways, but nobody has my heart aflutter there. I’d wait until round three.

I do not want to see them take a stab at a quarterback in the next three rounds. I’m seeing that speculated here and there, when they consult this thread for the sage guidance, they have come to expect, they will hear a firm NO from me.

[QuikSand]

Just did a quick Friday mock on SttM:

S McNeil-Warren
WR Ted Hurst
Edge Keyron Crawford

That’s a great rollout, even if it ignores IOL a bit.

[Atocep]

OK gang. We’re up again at pick 39, then a wait until 70 and 74. Definitely does not feel like an urgent need to move up, we have good options at 39. I think I would take phone calls about a move down, to pick up a day three pick or two, or especially to pick up draft Next year, which apparently most teams are reluctant to yield.

Assuming we stay at or around 39, and then have to wait about a full round before we go again, it seems to be the top targets ought to be:

S McNeil-Warren - much discussed here, local-ish guy, good fit

OL Bisontis or Pregnon

Edge rusher Howell (goes at 33 I expect), Young, or Parker

CB Terrell (gone by 39?) or pick one based on scheme fit


I would basically be fine with anybody on that list above. If they want to force an off Ball linebacker, like Rodriguez, I’d be OK with that also.

There are a number of wide receivers available, intriguing in various ways, but nobody has my heart aflutter there. I’d wait until round three.

I do not want to see them take a stab at a quarterback in the next three rounds. I’m seeing that speculated here and there, when they consult this thread for the sage guidance, they have come to expect, they will hear a firm NO from me.

I like McNeil-Warren as a raw but high ceiling safety. I also really like Kyle Louis and I believe in the right system with a creative DC he would be a hell of a weapon that could play safety and move to linebacker in nickel packages. I think Louis is one of the most underrated guys in the draft because some people are grading him strictly as a linebacker.

Young, on the other hand, is one of my least favorite guys. Just a lot of meh in his profile. Howell is a boom or bust guy and Parker seems more like a safe pick that may not be a pro bowler but should be solid.

D'Angelo Ponds is undersized but I think the worst case scenario for him is solid slot DB with the chance to be an elite #2 corner.

The first round did confirm that scouts are higher on the Clemson guys than mocks and analysts were heading into the draft. Terrell and Parker will both probably be in play for a lot of teams early in the 2nd.

Safety: McNeil-Warren, Kyle Louis
Corner: Terrell, Ponds, Hood, McCoy
Edge: Parker, Howell, Jacas, R Thomas Mason, Dennis-Sutton, Young
IOL: Bisontis, Pregnon

Personally, I'd probably lean corner. All of 4 of those guys I listed are probably upgrades right now. Safety or one of the guards would be a toss up as the next priority. I'd save edge for later. That position is in solid shape so anyone you're drafting is going to have a limited impact.

If they take a QB I'm rage quitting this thread.

[NobodyHere]

Not sure how good he is but I always like seeing a Rocket taken in the draft.

[QuikSand]

Like the deal back up for the safety. Mixed feeling w Boston but I’m ok w that too.

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/dpbrugler/status/2047841468979499417?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

[Atocep]

Like the deal back up for the safety. Mixed feeling w Boston but I’m ok w that too.

I get the Boston pick. Big bodied possession guy that blocks his ass off on the outside. Obviously love the McNeil-Warren selection. Probably the highest ceiling safety in the class.

[QuikSand]

TE run fully underway through 2nd and into 3rd. I had a TE as my BPA constantly while mocking, i’m not shocked.

[QuikSand]

At 74 I’d favor IOL, either Pregnon or the C they like.

[QuikSand]

I didn't look at T Barber, no clue on him but am puzzled by Pregnon falling like this.

[QuikSand]

No 4th round pick, but we sit on 3x early 5ths. Anyone in this thread knows my fondness for CB Prysock, and I hope he remains an option. I'd think that a TE also makes sense there, despite most of the blocking-first guys going far earlier than pre-draft consensus.

My perfect triple play for the early 5th would be:

CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington
TE Jack Endries, Texas
RB/WR Eli Heidenreich, Navy

[QuikSand]

Quick Day 3 mock from SttM:

Pasteboard - Uploaded Image (https://www.pasteboard.co/9TK-pT9P59D9.png)

https://www.pasteboard.co/9TK-pT9P59D9.png

Get my target corner and TE, have to improvise a bit elsewhere, solid play out. The Toledo corner is not just a novelty pick, he's a legit combine invite guy with a 9.0 RAS who played really well with McNeil-Warren.

[QuikSand]

Sounds like the Browns front office, in conversation with local reporters, have confessed that they were surprised and unprepared for the early run on the tight end position. The guy they took from Cincinnati was somebody I selected in at least one or two mock drafts, but mostly when I also let the run get ahead of me. I think he is fine, but not a serious blocker. I think they may need to scour the waiver wire to look for a veteran edition when they want a TRUE in-line blocking tight end.

During Mock, drafts, I pretty frequently took Kaczmaryk from tOSU in round 6/7, thinking this was the cheat code way to fill that role. Turns out the NFL had similar plans, and ended up pushing one another out-of-the-way on Friday night to take all these blocking first tight ends. That seems like a position that is more valued by true front offices that it is by those of us enamored with fantasy leagues and the lake. Charlie Kolar got paid 8m a year or so, I think, there you go.

[QuikSand]

(Please forgive audio typos)

[QuikSand]

Among remaining TE, I like both Endries and Wright a bit.

[Atocep]

Sounds like the Browns front office, in conversation with local reporters, have confessed that they were surprised and unprepared for the early run on the tight end position. The guy they took from Cincinnati was somebody I selected in at least one or two mock drafts, but mostly when I also let the run get ahead of me. I think he is fine, but not a serious blocker. I think they may need to scour the waiver wire to look for a veteran edition when they want a TRUE in-line blocking tight end.

During Mock, drafts, I pretty frequently took Kaczmaryk from tOSU in round 6/7, thinking this was the cheat code way to fill that role. Turns out the NFL had similar plans, and ended up pushing one another out-of-the-way on Friday night to take all these blocking first tight ends. That seems like a position that is more valued by true front offices that it is by those of us enamored with fantasy leagues and the lake. Charlie Kolar got paid 8m a year or so, I think, there you go.

Not really a surprise considering 12 and 13 personnel packages are becoming the it thing in the NFL right now. Everyone seems to want 3 tight ends that can play.

I approve of taking a swing at Taylen Green at this stage. You have a shitload of picks and he's a long shot lottery ticket.

[QuikSand]

Eli Heidenreich still there, fellas

[QuikSand]

UDFA signing of Logan Fano kinda too easy, right? Good move

[QuikSand]

So, as we sidle toward the next window for action, I think the Browns ought to be ready to talk with a couple of veterans once the window for them counting against the compensatory pick formula has expired (June 1, maybe?). I mean... David Njoku seems like an obvious one, though I'd understand if he felt like he could do better in Baltimore or Carolina or wherever.

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/CLE

TE2 jumps out as a spot to fill, but after that there are intriguing young options in enough places that I don't want to go overboard eating up snaps with retreads.

Boy the WR room here is going to be interesting to see settle out. Forgot about some of the bodies here from way back when we all just agreed that WR was a priority acquisition position. Like... I think I want Isaiah Bond to make the final 53, even with two early draft picks.

[QuikSand]

https://x.com/rnbwcv/status/2048727503045275829?s=46&t=UiBSwlI6k0QxGYTxadQwhA

Lotsa analytical types loving the CLE draft. Generally, that means they got relatively good value compared to a consensus board, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It is not necessarily a long-term indicator, but in short term assessment of value, they did well.

[Atocep]

Yeah I used to get excited about draft grades post draft. Then you realize theyre really just looking at need plus where the player was on their rankings compared to where they were picked. The most important thing in all of this is scheme fit, which is much more difficult for fans to judge.

[JPhillips]

If Watson wins the starting job that's going to put them in a position to miss out on a franchise QB next year. And what do they do if Watson wins eight games?

There's no merit in being a middling team if you don't have the QB set.

[QuikSand]

I generally agree that the team posting an 8-9 record this year with either Watson or Sanders at QB is less than ideal. But if it looks like the defense is carrying the team, the offensive line rebuild including Fano looks legit, and the passing game is merely just-passable... then I think that wouldn't be a bad overall outcome. Trading up from pick 1.13 to 1.2 (with a don't-need-QB team) isn't unthinkable, and there are various narratives that support something like that here.

[QuikSand]

Nothing to see here... and that is basically correct. This doesn't feel like a team that ought to be searching for veteran plug-ins.

[Atocep]

Myles Garrett to the Rams for a 2027 1st, Verse, and some other picks still being finalized.

[QuikSand]

I endorse this move, especially with Verse embedded. That's clearly a timetable realignment, and even if the 1st ends up being at pick 1(32) it's likely a good outcome for our side.

I'd do this deal.

[RainMaker]

Sort of feel like Garrett should have gone for more. I like Verse but getting just 1 1st in the deal which will likely be bad isn't much for the Browns.

[JPhillips]

The sorry we drafted a QB for maybe Stafford's last season plan.

As for the Browns, anything that makes it more likely they get a franchise QB in the 2027 draft is good. The worst option is that they still don't know who their QB is after the next draft

[QuikSand]

Hmm, if for some random reason not-yet-26yo Jared Verse were available for trade, what do we think he would bring? I'm thinking a 1st plus a bit more, so that's how I'm thinking of him in terms of draft equity.

[Danny]

Great trade for the Browns. Verse is really good and young. Hes essentially worth at least 1st himself so 2 first, second and third is solid. Keeping Garrett with no franchise qb made no sense.

[Thomkal]

Myles Garrett to the Rams for a 2027 1st, Verse, and some other picks still being finalized.


of course they would trade him to an NFC West team. :::sigh:::

[albionmoonlight]

Good trade by CLE. Verse fits whatever timeline they have much more than Garrett does.

[Atocep]

Final Trade:

Garrett for Verse, 2027 1st, 2028 2nd, 2029 3rd.

I really like the trade for the Browns. Verse is underrated and one of the best 2 way DEs in the league. Garrett is clearly the better player but in a hard cap league I wonder if the cap hit plus Verse and the picks is enough to justify moving from a very productive DE on a rookie deal to what's likely a 3 year $100 million deal with Garrett.

[RainMaker]

I don't like the trade too much. You're going to have to pay Verse a ton of money in a year and that 1st and 2nd is going to be at the latter half of the rounds most likely. Not sure what the options were but I'd probably rather have an additional 1st and maybe another future 3rd or 4th instead of Verse.

Also this feels like a trade that should have been made before the draft.

[Danny]

Verse still has two years on his rookie deal and 5th year option. A big extension you can still end up 3-4 years before any big money hits.

[JPhillips]

Any word on how much this saves the Browns for 2026? They could use some cap space.

[bhlloy]

Think I was reading it puts them more into the hole for 26 and 27 but then 28 they will have the most in the league if they don’t decide to ya know, trade for and extend a DeShaun Watson again.

Honestly, far be it from me to avoid a chance to dump on the Browns but as good a trade as you will see I think. Verse is one of the better players in the league still on a rookie deal and basically the equivalent of another first and second if you look at the cost vs production metrics. His timeframe aligns with the Browns, Garrett was never going to.

[QuikSand]

Any word on how much this saves the Browns for 2026? They could use some cap space.

In this thread, where we run the Browns, I'd say we do NOT need cap space for 2026. Filling in with anything beyond one-year minsal guys makes little sense here.

With the current roster, we are young at the places where we are shaky... I don't want to (easy frex) go sign Stephon Diggs for 1y here to edge us from 3 wins to 4 and steal 120 targets away from Concepcion and Boston. No chance.

Now, if we feel we need a hole-filler to make the offense or defense "credible" for purposes of seeing what we're capable of... fine, go sign one of the 34yo dudes out there, Kyle Van Noy or Elandon Roberts or whomever, to plug the hole and remain a viable unit. Okay here.