Your Grade or Thoughts on our '26 Draft
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Kind of hard to be disappointed with the first four picks considering many draft pundits had all four as first round talents. I'm like you Orion, once the Browns drafted Boston it instantly made me like the KC Concepcion pick so much more.
We all knew the Browns' biggest needs were WRs and OLine, and lo and behold they actually attacked the weaknesses. Perhaps we would have gone after different OLinemen in Rounds 3 and beyond, time will tell if they picked solid players or not. Added depth to the TE room.
On paper, I'm pretty happy.
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In recent years, I'm paying more attention to the caution "if you're drafting rear-view mirror don't be surprised if all that player's football remains there." The best example I can think of is the alleged "Brady Quinn is the most pro ready QB in the draft." That idea gone viral because Charlie Weis was his HC overlooked Quinn's habit of locking onto dependable big target at WR Jeff Samardzija. In college, that habit worked so it became perfected. However, for the pro game ahead - it is an ill-advisable habit to lean on. Bad habits that get perfected can be the toughest to break; especially at a more complex level with even better athletes. That's why Brady Quinn ended up as Tim Tebow's sideline caddy in Denver for a GM that was a HOF QB who was surprisingly putrid at drafting NFL QBs such as Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, and Jim Kelly's nephew - Chad Kelly.
Why all that? I LOVED seeing the Browns go after very important needs at very important positions that were very WEAK coming into the draft. I get the impression the FO and coaching staff worked together to blend expertise and formulate a very sensible draft/plan to make this team much better. Now, it will be the coaching staffs' job to develop the newbies into their systems while instilling sound fundamentals in tandem with thorough understanding of how to compete at the NFL level. As others have mentioned, the CB position and LBer Corps aren't as deep as other positions so I think the FO will keep an eye on this and address it as needed moving forward.
I'm always a wishful thinker to a fault that I'm usually disappointed once it all plays out. At this time I'll just say I REALLY appreciate the effort in the FO (without the distraction of Depodesta) in meeting this team where it is at; and going for it in free agency, trades and the draft. All the ideas of where each new arrival on the OL will fit best will work itself out on the field so today isn't the day I'm going to grade it. The ole saying it all starts at the top never gets outdated because it tickles down when done the right way. I can say I'm seeing the effort at the top so this time my optimism isn't mostly from just wishful thinking.
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Always found Bleacher Report scouting dept. as the toughest on player grades post draft.. They haven't changed ! On any team !
Day 2 https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25422017-nfl-draft-2026-day-2-grades-every-pick
Day 3 https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25422315-nfl-draft-2026-day-3-grades-every-pick
Denzel Boston gives the team a big-bodied target to work alongside Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy. Grade: B+
Strengths: Goes up and snags 50-50 balls, understands how to use his size and length, wins by playing physical with no wasted movement, top-notch red-zone threat
Weaknesses: Lacks a top gear, may struggle to stack professional cornerbacks, can improve release package
6'4" McNeil-Warren provides a different type of athlete in Cleveland's secondary. Grade: A+
Strengths: Massive frame, excellent length, powerful downhill presence, underneath eraser
Weaknesses: Lacks top gear, isn't fluid turning and running in coverage, lacks true single-high safety traits
Austin Barber The problem lies in the fact that Cleveland traded fifth and sixth-round picks on a prospect graded as a fourth-round talent Grade: D
Strengths: Good play-strength, technician, plays under control and with good balance
Weaknesses: Marginal athlete, not fluid in his pass set, can be overly mechanical
Parker Brailsford is now the team's third selection along its front five. Grade: C+
Justin Jefferson adds much-needed depth. The rookie can immediately contribute as a sub-package coverage backer. Grade: C
Joe Royer can give the Browns an inline option. Grade: C
Taylen Green is an obvious developmental project because he offers massive athletic upside but needs significant refinement as a passer Grade: C
Royer is more of an inline option. Carsen Ryan provides a little bit of both. Grade: C
I still haven't watched a single snap on Jefferson, Royer or Ryan.. IMO...Brailsford is no better Barber.. I see C's on both..
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Green is 6'6 and 237# and I liked him when he was named Terrelle Pryor.. you could do a lot worse at WR4 or 5.
Green is 6'6 and 237# and I liked him when he was named Terrelle Pryor.. you could do a lot worse at WR4 or 5.
I was thinking WR all the way with that speed and large hands plus he's a great runner to boot.
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My man Dane Brugler really liked our draft. He liked our draft last year too. I guess if Berry keeps this up and continues his salary cap voodoo ways, he might just keep his job. Cut and paste coming up…
This is my version of draft grades — ranking the draft hauls from 1 to 32.
Last year, my three favorite classesincluded the eventual Super Bowl teams (Patriots at No. 1 and Seahawks at No. 3) plus the Browns, who had multiple Rookie of the Year contenders. This year, the Browns are back at the top of the stack.
Naturally, teams that made multiple first-round picks or a larger volume of picks have a better chance of being higher on this list.
1. Cleveland Browns
19Spencer FanoOT124KC ConcepcionWR239Denzel BostonWR258Emmanuel McNeil-WarrenS386Austin BarberOT5146Parker BrailsfordC5149Justin JeffersonLB5170Joe RoyerTE6182Taylen GreenQB7248Carsen RyanTEFavorite pick: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns found outstanding value with each pick while also attacking key needs. Landing Emmanuel McNeil-Warren outside the top 50 was tremendous value, and both wide receivers will have opportunities. But I’ll go back to their first pick (acquired in a trade back that also netted Cleveland an extra Day 2 pick). Fano has rare movement ability for his size, top-tier football IQ and competitive toughness, plus he can play multiple spots on the line.
Day 3 pick who could surprise: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
Justin Jefferson is an ascending player with big-time speed; tight end Carsen Ryan has “make it” traits; center Parker Brailsford is undersized but has tremendous movement skills. However, Royer has an opportunity to make an immediate impact, with a skill set that favorably complements Harold Fannin Jr.
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Without question they attacked need more so than at any point than I can remember as a fan. In years past you were scratching your head at some picks and we left the draft with no answer at a position group. Not so much this year
I thought we had more flexibility to attack our needs with the second 1st round pick we acquired last season and the extra picks we had in the middle of the draft. I didn’t see a Guard, RT, LT or Center in this draft worth a top 10 pick.
I believe you had an opportunity to address need and still take the best player as teams customarily do drafting where we were Thursday.
2/3 seasons from now we will look at Fano, Lomu Downs, McNeil Warren. KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper, Brailsford vs the other 3/4 round Centers and figure out whether things worked out.
We sneakily got better in the redzone. Fano at LT, C, RG or on the moon and can move people, Boston might be the best redzone WR to come out since Drake London, and Taylen Green in year one can be zone read threat, boot out cut the field in half weapon right away down inside the 10.
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They only drafted 2 defensive players. A safety and a LB. EMdub and JJ. I have high hope for EMdub.
They nabbed a couple varieties of wr, and the rest were offense players that mostly block.
I see a theme with the O-line players they drafted, they got the “undersized” knock but they’re quick on their feet and athletic. It gives me hope that we’ll see pulling guards and funky blocking schemes.
I think it was a solid draft.
They only drafted 2 defensive players.
Well, the goal all along (per Haslem, Berry & Monken) was to work on a pathetic offense and not to pad a league leading D.
On paper, I'm pretty happy.
Yeah, right now that's all we've got....'on paper'. But as Flugel and SdBacker point out, there were many years where we left the draft scratching our heads saying, How come nobody was drafted to help our biggest needs?
Boston might be the best redzone WR
Yup. Fades to the corner and crossing the back of the end zone for the Joe Montana to Dwight Clark kind of stuff.
I was thinking WR all the way with that speed and large hands plus he's a great runner to boot.
It's a valid thought that Dutch articulated somewhere on this board too. But the back of my mind tells me, At the NFL level, we shouldn't have to be teaching people how to play a brand new position that is unrelated to what they've been all along. We should be refining and enhancing what they've already been doing. And I really don't like the idea of little niche sub-packages for a QB. The different cadence will cause a false start and the possibility of a fumbled snap goes way up. But I certainly get it, ya can't teach 6'6 and 4.37 speed. You've either got it, or ya don't. It was the 6th round. They took a Flyer. WTH not, right?
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I'm no draft guru but I'm happy they addressed needs.
IF the new O Line guys ( including the FA signings) pan out, the Browns can be hugely improved.
I'm no draft guru but I'm happy they addressed needs.
IF the new O Line guys ( including the FA signings) pan out, the Browns can be hugely improved.
Yup, but it's no small 'IF'. And we 'can be' improved but we're going to need our QB position to prove to be 'good' also. So first & foremost we need the OL & WR positions to actually BE improved such that those two entities are no longer excuses for our QB position. The timing of the OL & WR room repairs are just in time for what, in theory, would be a good QB draft in '27, in case we need to go that route.
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Warren is a BIG safety, and I love the pick.
Who’s to say he couldn’t play close to the line as a LB?
He could potentially be a replacement for JOK.
Two things that will define you: Your determination when you have nothing. Your attitude when you have everything. - Mike McCartney -
While building teams has to be more of a present AND future thought process, my only hope is that the Browns addressed the offensive side of the ball as much as humanly possible in the draft and FA. Last year's team had the arguably the worst OL and WR rooms in the NFL- it's much more common for bad teams rebuilding to have strong needs across both offense and defense. Not the case in Cleveland going into the offseason.
With that being said, it's solid the Browns went offense focused with the top three picks and OL in free agency. What's compelling is that if Sanders doesn't work out (which I'm not rooting for, but fully expect to have unfold), you're going to have a much improved skill position and offensive line for a rookie QB in 2027. I believe essentially every OL on the team now is locked in through at least 2027, and if Fano is who they expect him to be you also have a cornerstone at the position.
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after careful thought and consideration I have come to the conclusion that The Browns deserve an A
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...and you're not alone. Many draft pundits, including Kiper, agree with you.
Not only do they get an A for the draft, but they get an A for Accumulation of 2027 draft picks as well. Harvard finally showed what it an do without the baseball clown.
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Warren is a BIG safety, and I love the pick.
Who’s to say he couldn’t play close to the line as a LB?
He could potentially be a replacement for JOK.
Warren is a BIG safety, and I love the pick.
Who’s to say he couldn’t play close to the line as a LB?
He could potentially be a replacement for JOK.
I am surprised he spent his entire career in Toledo, with the portal and nil money being what it is, He would probably end up in the big 10 somewhere, the way of the mac may be headed the way of the dodo
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While building teams has to be more of a present AND future thought process, my only hope is that the Browns addressed the offensive side of the ball as much as humanly possible in the draft and FA. Last year's team had the arguably the worst OL and WR rooms in the NFL- it's much more common for bad teams rebuilding to have strong needs across both offense and defense. Not the case in Cleveland going into the offseason.
With that being said, it's solid the Browns went offense focused with the top three picks and OL in free agency. What's compelling is that if Sanders doesn't work out (which I'm not rooting for, but fully expect to have unfold), you're going to have a much improved skill position and offensive line for a rookie QB in 2027. I believe essentially every OL on the team now is locked in through at least 2027, and if Fano is who they expect him to be you also have a cornerstone at the position.
While building teams has to be more of a present AND future thought process, my only hope is that the Browns addressed the offensive side of the ball as much as humanly possible in the draft and FA. Last year's team had the arguably the worst OL and WR rooms in the NFL- it's much more common for bad teams rebuilding to have strong needs across both offense and defense. Not the case in Cleveland going into the offseason.
With that being said, it's solid the Browns went offense focused with the top three picks and OL in free agency. What's compelling is that if Sanders doesn't work out (which I'm not rooting for, but fully expect to have unfold), you're going to have a much improved skill position and offensive line for a rookie QB in 2027. I believe essentially every OL on the team now is locked in through at least 2027, and if Fano is who they expect him to be you also have a cornerstone at the position.
I was thinking about the OLine today, and only Fano do I feel confident will be here in three seasons. Three or four of the vets they have got this offseason and will start are pretty much stopgaps, on one or two year deals.
I can see a scenario where the Browns in next year's draft use two picks in the first four rounds on OLine again.
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While building teams has to be more of a present AND future thought process, my only hope is that the Browns addressed the offensive side of the ball as much as humanly possible in the draft and FA. Last year's team had the arguably the worst OL and WR rooms in the NFL- it's much more common for bad teams rebuilding to have strong needs across both offense and defense. Not the case in Cleveland going into the offseason.
With that being said, it's solid the Browns went offense focused with the top three picks and OL in free agency. What's compelling is that if Sanders doesn't work out (which I'm not rooting for, but fully expect to have unfold), you're going to have a much improved skill position and offensive line for a rookie QB in 2027. I believe essentially every OL on the team now is locked in through at least 2027, and if Fano is who they expect him to be you also have a cornerstone at the position.
I was thinking about the OLine today, and only Fano do I feel confident will be here in three seasons. Three or four of the vets they have got this offseason and will start are pretty much stopgaps, on one or two year deals.
I can see a scenario where the Browns in next year's draft use two picks in the first four rounds on OLine again.
I can see a scenario where the Browns in next year's draft use two picks in the first four rounds on OLine again.
I see austin barber being here as a guard and Brailsford, Parker as are center with Fano, so unless we have to give up the farm for a QB, I would not use a pick on a o lineman untill the third at best
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I can see a scenario where the Browns in next year's draft use two picks in the first four rounds on OLine again.
I see austin barber being here as a guard and Brailsford, Parker as are center with Fano, so unless we have to give up the farm for a QB, I would not use a pick on a o lineman untill the third at best
I see austin barber being here as a guard and Brailsford, Parker as are center with Fano, so unless we have to give up the farm for a QB, I would not use a pick on a o lineman untill the third at best
Barber and Brailsford are depth guys until they show something that warrants the idea that they could start some day.
I'm not counting on either. If it happens, fantastic.
The work isn't done on the OLine. With how the OLine is constructed, if we don't get ahead of it by continuing to invest in the OLine we could very well be in the same position we were going into this offseason.
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I see austin barber being here as a guard and Brailsford, Parker as are center with Fano, so unless we have to give up the farm for a QB, I would not use a pick on a o lineman untill the third at best
Barber and Brailsford are depth guys until they show something that warrants the idea that they could start some day.
I'm not counting on either. If it happens, fantastic.
The work isn't done on the OLine. With how the OLine is constructed, if we don't get ahead of it by continuing to invest in the OLine we could very well be in the same position we were going into this offseason.
Barber and Brailsford are depth guys until they show something that warrants the idea that they could start some day.
I'm not counting on either. If it happens, fantastic.
The work isn't done on the OLine. With how the OLine is constructed, if we don't get ahead of it by continuing to invest in the OLine we could very well be in the same position we were going into this offseason.
same can be said of the D Line, and i believe with the fat ass we traded for and the others in F.A and the fat ass's still on the roster, O Line should be a low priority. Next year Edge in the 1st DT in the 2nd and after that. guess we will see what shakes out, BPA ?
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