Polarizing Browns 2026 NFL draft picks that could get Andrew Berry fired

Andrew Berry was granted one more chance — the Cleveland Browns feel he deserves another crack and getting this team out of its decades long rebuild. Sure the Browns reached the playoffs twice with a Berry roster construction since he came back to be a general manager, but the Browns have more top five picks since 2020 than he does playoff wins. Last year’s draft earned him one more year, he can’t mess up the 2026 NFL Draft, though. 

The Browns are in the final year of this Deshaun Watson mess, meaning if things go south, the Browns will finally be able to get rid of anybody involved in that disaster of a trade. If this season looks promising, that means Berry might just be the best person after all. The goal for Cleveland is simple in the NFL Draft: Draft for need. 

Cleveland has way too many holes to plug, particularly on offense, to misidentify talent. Here’s what Berry has to keep in mind as he’s putting together his NFL Draft plan. 

What are the Cleveland Browns NFL Draft needs?

• Offensive line
• Wide receiver
• Cornerback/safety

The Browns did a good job of retooling their offensive line this offseason. They’ve completely restarted on that side of the ball, adding Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. These are all good additions, but they’re far from finalizing this offensive line, which is why with two first round picks, they have to use one of them to take an offensive line. 

The other pick should probably be used to take a wide receiver. All the talk has been about Watson possibly starting another game for Cleveland in 2026 or Shedeur Sanders being handed the keys to the team. But who are either of these quarterbacks throwing to? Berry has his work cut out for him if Cleveland is going to capitalize on the nine picks they have this year. 

Carnell Tate with the No. 6 pick makes more sense than you think

When it comes to wide receivers from Ohio State, the Browns would be remiss to think passing on Carnell Tate is a wise move. Jaxon Smith-Njigba just reset the market for elite wide receivers after a career year that ended with a Super Bowl win; Emeka Egbuka catapulted his way from first round pick to now No. 1 option for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Browns can’t pass up on their future at wide receiver and the fact that they’ve rebuilt this offensive line in the offseason is more reason why their first pick should be to take Tate. 

Now if Tate is off the board at No. 6, then that means one of the better tackle options, Francis Mauigoa is there, which they can’t really pass up on either. There’s arguments on both sides. Go back to the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bengals had the choice to land Ja’Marr Chase or Penei Sewell. Looking back, neither was a bad option and both turned out to be elite in their respective positions. Cleveland is very much in that same position. Going with the receiver might be the better option, but getting a future anchor at left tackle could be game-changing. 

Spencer Fano could be a first round steal if he slides to No. 24

Before the NFL Scouting Combine, there was a lot of talk about Spencer Fano possibly landing with the Cleveland Browns at No. 6. He’s since slid down to No. 13 to the Los Angeles Rams. I ran a few mock draft simulators and he did call as low as No. 24, which could be a steal for Cleveland if they take Tate at No. 6. Fano inside the top 10 isn’t worth it in my opinion. I’m torn about drafting a lineman that high, though it wouldn’t be a bad move for a team that needs to improve its offensive line. 

The Browns should use their first two, Day 1 picks on receiver and offensive line, but there’s a lot of ways to go with it. I think unless they’re all in on Fano, I wouldn’t take him unless he slides toward the back of the draft. He might be worth trading higher into the first round for, but if they have to give up too much in the process, it’s absolutely not worth it.

At the end of the day, the Browns need their picks and Fano isn’t a game-changer of an offensive lineman. That said, he’s not a bad pick if he falls into the bottom of the first round. 

Caleb Downs is an intriguing pick but not worth top 10 value

It could be very intriguing for the Browns to take Caleb Downs at No. 6, but it’s not worth it. He’s a good player, but that high is not worth it for Cleveland when they have other pressing needs. Yes, they need to upgrade their safeties and even look at cornerbacks, but at the No. 6 spot, that should be reserved for receiver or offensive line. This could single-handedly cost Berry his job because even if Downs has a solid rookie season, he’s not going to make a difference for this team like a receiver or lineman would. 

The Browns could address their safety possibly with the No. 24 pick, though again, that pick is too valuable for a position like safety for this team. They have the No. 39 pick in the second round, which could be just as important as the first round picks. They could possibly go after a safety there if Emmanual McNeil-Warren or Dillon Thieneman is there. Outside of them, though, the Browns should stay away from drafting a safety. 

More NFL Draft news and analysis