Could 2026 finally be the year that the Cleveland Browns return to competitiveness?

With so many complex factors, 2025 was seemingly doomed before it even started. However, Cleveland has clearly found several young pieces and has an elite star in Myles Garrett to surge over the next few years. To map out what the Browns must do this offseason, A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Ryan Roberts, Browns analyst Brandon Little, and I produced a blueprint for finding success.

Little provided background information on the team’s most significant needs and helped us assess whether head coach Kevin Stefanski should stay. Then, Roberts and I pitched top 2026 NFL Draft prospects and free agents to address those needs.

Here are our results.

Should the Browns keep Kevin Stefanski?

Little: Stefanski stays

The Browns still rally around their head coach, and there remains a spark in the locker room that shows up when the team badly needs a win. I’m leaning more and more toward the front office and coaching staff being given a clean slate after the Deshaun Watson contract collectively dragged the team down. Unless the Browns completely bottom out and Kevin Stefanski loses the locker room, I’m not sure they’ll pull the trigger on another head-coaching change right now. Quarterback issues have been a constant throughout the Stefanski era, yet he has still taken the Browns to the playoffs twice — something unheard of in Northeast Ohio. I don’t expect a coaching change unless things go really south and the Browns fail to win another game, matching last year’s win total.

Browns 2026 NFL Draft picks

Little: QB and OL are the top draft needs

Quarterback remains the most important position in the sport — and the one the Browns still can’t get right. Since returning to Cleveland, the franchise has started 45 different quarterbacks, a true revolving door. Last draft, Cleveland took two swings hoping to strike lightning in a bottle, but that’s unlikely to pan out. Dillon Gabriel has started six games and looks like a career backup at best. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders would have to dramatically exceed expectations down the stretch to become the long-term answer. Mission No. 1 continues to be finding the Browns’ franchise quarterback.

Cleveland once had one of the league’s best offensive lines; now they have one of the worst. The Browns could replace as many as four starters next offseason, with several tough decisions looming in free agency. Offensive tackle is the biggest concern. Dawand Jones hasn’t been able to stay healthy after sliding to the left side, and Cam Robinson isn’t a long-term solution. Jack Conklin is aging, injury-prone, and far from a reliable option at right tackle. The Browns badly need young talent up front.

Browns draft targets

Roberts: Oregon QB Dante Moote & Utah OL Caleb Lomu

Even with a solid first start from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Browns should still be in the market to upgrade the room. Moore is a cool customer who some teams have the top signal caller in the class if he decides to declare. There isn’t a more accurate quarterback in this class, and has plenty of arm talent to work with as well.

The Browns have desperate needs at offensive tackle, especially with Dawand Jones coming off of an injury. While his teammate Spencer Fano gets a lot of the headlines, Lomu has been quite good at left tackle this season. Still very young, the redshirt sophomore has a ton of upside to work with. He might take his lumps early, but Lomu will be better for it long term.

DeLeone: Alabama QB Ty Simpson & Miami OL Francis Mauigoa

As Ryan said, even with a solid first start from Sanders, the team still needs to invest their first draft pick in a quarterback. Simpson’s draft stock has slightly cooled, but he is still one of the most gifted prospects on the board. His poise and quick trigger decision-making are what the Browns need to be more dangerous downfield.

To help bolster their offensive line, adding a prospect who could fill numerous roles would be impactful. Mauigoa has been a reliable starter at right tackle for Miami since he was a freshman, and could plug in right away. His build allows him to transition inside to guard, or he could stick at tackle if needed.

Browns free agency targets

Little: WR is a top FA need

Jerry Jeudy has looked a lot like the secondary option he was with the Denver Broncos. After topping 1,200 receiving yards last year, he has just 395 yards in 11 games this season. The former Alabama receiver has struggled with drops and has often appeared checked out. Cleveland needs more playmakers on the outside to help lift this offense, something they lack badly right now. If the Browns plan to bring in a new quarterback this offseason, they must upgrade his weapons.

Browns FA targets

Roberts: Colts WR Alec Pierce

While he isn’t a flashy name, Piece has quietly been very good for the Colts this season. A bigger body at 6-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce also has the speed to stretch the field on the outside. That is a role that is absent right now in the Browns offense. Getting a player like Pierce makes things a lot easier for middle of the field threats, as well as Jerry Jeudy navigating the intermediate part of the field.

DeLeone: Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed

The Browns’ WR room could use some over-the-top speed to make the unit more dangerous. Jeudy has displayed the ability to be a productive, go-to target, so adding a home run threat should be the next play style they’d need to address. Shaheed has been a solid burner for the Saints and now the Seahawks. Ideally, his contract would not break the bank either.

Cleveland Browns News

Kevin Stefanski dodged the big question around Shedeur Sanders after he helped the Browns to a win over the Raiders

A win for the rookie quarterback in his first NFL start on the road for the Browns.

Brandon Little