Browns Mock Draft: Trading down to acquire more bites at the apple

It's almost time for the 2026 NFL draft to kick off next week in Pittsburgh as teams finalize their big board ahead of the festivities. The Cleveland Browns aren't finding a franchise quarterback in this year's draft, which means they can give a young guy like Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove himself.

Trading back and adding assets for 2027, in case Sanders doesn't perform well, makes the most sense for the team in the long term. Let's dive into my final mock draft of 2026, as the draft is just around the corner.

Trade:

Miami receives: Round 1, Pick 6. Round 5, Pick 146

Cleveland receives: Round 1, Pick 11. Round 4, Pick 130. 2027 first-round pick

Round 1, Pick 11: Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia

Monroe Freeling might be one of the strongest pass protectors in the entire class. His length and athleticism allow him to neutralize speed rushers effectively, and he uses that same reach to control power rushers even without elite strength. Across 390 pass‑blocking snaps for Georgia this season, he surrendered just six pressures and two sacks.

Round 1, Pick 24: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The best part of Dillon Thieneman's game is versatility. You can line him up in the slot, the box, or as a single high safety, and he plays at a high level in all three places. Not afraid to get physical in run defense, and his ability to trigger downhill quickly is impressive. Thieneman is a fantastic athlete and a true defensive weapon who could be the replacement for Delpit if he isn't brought back after 2026.

Round 2, Pick 39: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Chris Bell brings an impressive combination of size, physicality, and athleticism that consistently creates matchup problems for defenses. At 6‑foot‑2 and 220 pounds, he elevates with ease and shows no hesitation working through contact to finish catches in traffic. His hands are strong and dependable, and his body control allows him to adjust to off‑target throws. What really jumps off the tape, though, is his explosiveness. For a player with his build, he accelerates unusually well and becomes a dangerous threat after the catch, often outrunning defenders who appear to have the angle.

Round 3, Pick 70: Skyler Bell, WR, UCONN

Skyler Bell projects as an undersized slot receiver at the next level, but his route running and natural separation ability make him a real asset. His speed shows up both on film and in testing, highlighted by his 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Bell excels at varying his pace—throttling up and down to snap off routes and create space. In the open field, he’s slippery and efficient, consistently forcing missed tackles and generating extra yards.

Round 4, Pick 107: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

Sam Roush brings prototypical tight end size at 6‑foot‑5 and 260 pounds, along with the versatility to line up in multiple spots. He offers solid pass‑protection ability when asked to stay in and assist the tackles, and he has the strength and frame to develop into a quality run blocker with improved technique. After the catch, he runs with physicality, and his speed is good enough to threaten defenses up the seam while working from a well‑rounded route tree.

Round 4, Pick 130: Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State

Matt Gulbin brings versatility to the offensive line, having played both guard spots and center during his collegiate career. He has a good power profile, making him a plus-level run blocker, and a high football IQ to adjust protection at the line of scrimmage.

Round 5, Pick 149: Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan

Nadame Tucker may be a one‑year breakout, but his production this season for Western Michigan was outstanding. He posted a 28.4% pass‑rush win rate and racked up 61 pressures, 14.5 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss. Tucker fires off the line with real explosiveness, pairing strong hands with smooth lateral agility to consistently stress offensive tackles.

Round 6, Pick 206: Devon Marshall, CB, NC State

Devon Marshall lacks great top speed, but he is at his best when he is in press-man coverage and can get physical with receivers. He does a good job diagnosing plays in front of him quickly and responds well with solid downhill speed. Marshall is a reliable tackler, and his physicality makes him worth a day-three selection.

Round 7, Pick 248: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan

Jimmy Rolder would be a great special teams contributor and could earn some reps as a linebacker on defense. He's a fantastic tackler and is an above-average athlete. He navigates traffic well against the run, which would help him in the special teams area as well.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns Mock Draft: Trading down to acquire more bites at the apple