Browns Offseason Summary Following the first wave of 2026 free agency, the Cleveland Browns' primary draft needs are Left Tackle, Wide Receiver, and Defensive Line Depth. General Manager Andrew Berry was hyper-aggressive in rebuilding a decimated offensive line, trading for Tytus Howard and signing Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, but a high-end starter at left tackle remains the missing piece.
The Browns entered the 2026 offseason facing a complete offensive line rebuild with four starters hitting free agency. Berry prioritized the trenches by acquiring Tytus Howard (RT) via trade and securing Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins (C/G) in free agency. While these moves stabilize the unit, the departures of longtime cornerstones Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and David Njoku—coupled with the team holding two top-25 picks—points toward a draft focused on elite offensive playmakers and bookend protection.
Franchise Needs
QB
LT
WR
IDL
TE
Free Agent Losses
G Wyatt Teller (Post-June 1 Cut), TE David Njoku (Post-June 1 Cut), T Jack Conklin (Released), LB Devin Bush (Bears), DE Cameron Thomas (Falcons)Free Agent Gains
T Tytus Howard (Trade), G Zion Johnson, OL Elgton Jenkins, LB Quincy Williams, TE Jack Stoll, DT Kalia DavisDraft Capital Overview
- Pick 6 (Round 1)
- Pick 24 (Round 1) via JAX
- Pick 39 (Round 2)
- Pick 70 (Round 3)
- Pick 107 (Round 4)
- Pick 141 (Round 5) via LVR
- Pick 146 (Round 5)
- Pick 149 (Round 5) via CIN
- Pick 248 (Round 7) via SEA
- Pick 206 (Round 6) via CHI
CLE Mock Draft Picks
Ty Simpson
Cleveland’s quarterback picture still feels transitional, with the room framed by uncertainty around Deshaun Watson’s health and a broader search for stability. Simpson works here because he does not need the offense rebuilt around chaos; his processing, placement, and movement skills point more toward orderly operation. For a team still trying to settle the position, that steadiness has real appeal.
Caleb Lomu
Offensive line rebuild is not a background story in Cleveland right now — it is one of the central stories of the offseason. The Browns have added Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson while openly reshaping the front after a cycle of expiring contracts and needed change. Lomu makes sense inside that larger project as a developmental tackle with movement skills and starter traits, not just a random depth swing.
Kayden McDonald
Run-defense durability continues shaping Cleveland’s defensive planning after recent front-seven turnover cycles. McDonald’s mass and leverage discipline offer a stabilizing rotational option capable of anchoring early-down fronts. He projects as a situational interior defender with defined functional value.
R Mason Thomas
Rotational pressure depth remains a recurring defensive priority for Cleveland. Thomas’ burst and motor provide situational disruption potential within sub-package rush designs. He profiles as an energy edge with developmental upside.