Could Browns target surprise position in 2026 NFL Draft?

The Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry are in one of the most intriguing positions heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

After finishing last season with a 5-12 record, the Browns now possess the No. 6 and No. 24 picks in this year's draft. And with many questions surrounding the organization, it's clear that Berry and company could do virtually anything in round one, whether it is trading down or staying put in the top-10.

However, there is one position group that has quietly become a potential target for Cleveland in the early rounds of the 2026 draft. Last week, Browns writer Jared Mueller reported that Berry offered a second-round pick (No. 39) for New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Unfortunately for the Browns, their in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, ultimately won the bidding war for Lawrence, trading away the No. 10 pick for the star defensive lineman.

Still, the reported trade offer now poses the question of whether or not the Browns would use valuable draft capital on a defensive player in the upcoming draft.

Will the Browns draft a defensive lineman early in the 2026 NFL Draft?

While many fans hope that the Browns will focus on the offensive side of the ball, it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Browns to target defense within the first two rounds. In my last mock draft, I had the Browns selecting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the first round, which is a primary need heading into the 2026 season. But after supposedly offering No. 39 for an interior defensive lineman, Cleveland could definitely look to add depth to the front four.