5 winners and losers from Browns’ 2026 NFL Draft: One player in Cleveland might soon be packing his bags
The 2026 NFL Draft is over and the Cleveland Browns know what their roster will look like for this coming season. Cleveland’s draft decisions will have an impact throughout.
The Cleveland Browns had what looks like a successful weekend in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland selected 10 rookies to welcome to the team and they filled their bigger needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver.
We now have free agency and the draft behind us and the majority of roster additions are over. The Browns know what their team is going to look like for the 2026 season for the most part, but a few questions remain coming out of the weekend.
Winner: Browns HC Todd Monken
With any offensive-minded head coach, they’re going to want playmakers and a capable offensive line to be able to run their offense. The Browns did a good job of addressing those needs they had within the offense and the biggest question remains at the quarterback position. Cleveland drafting KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston is a major upgrade to their receiver room. Getting Spencer Fano to fill it at left tackle was a big hole filled. Monken has the parts to a good offense to work with, and if he doesn’t have the quarterback, the Browns will draft one a year from now early.
Loser: WR Cedric Tillman
With the above receivers mentioned now with the Browns, there’s going to be a couple of names pushed off the roster. Boston comes in and is the Browns’ big receiver who ideally fits in as their starting X. Tillman is entering his fourth season with the Browns and has missed double-digit games over the past couple of years combined. The former Tennessee standout has never been able to break out as a former third-round pick, and it might be time for a new start for him elsewhere.
Loser: QB Dillon Gabriel
Cleveland taking a quarterback was a possibility in the draft and they did so by taking Taylen Green in the sixth round. The Browns took Green knowing he’s a super athletic quarterback prospect who possesses a raw arm and bad decision-making. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson took the first team reps at veteran minicamp last week and they’re expected to battle for the job. Gabriel will stick around through training camp I believe, but in the end, he’ll be the No. 4 quarterback, and not on the 53-man roster.
Loser: C Luke Wypler
Going into the draft it was either going to be Wypler or free agent signing Elgton Jenkins as the starting center. Jenkins is better suited as a guard but the Browns will have him at center if it’s the best fit for the offensive line. The Browns drafted Parker Brailsford and he projects as a center-only prospect. Wypler has a new player walking into the starting center competition and that makes it a bit tougher.
Winner: QB Shedeur Sanders
The Browns did take a Green but it was in the sixth round, and the odds are against him becoming anything with the Browns. Cleveland not taking a quarterback early is good news for Sanders because he’s the young guy they’re going to give a shot in 2026 to prove himself before deciding on the position in 2027. As long as Sanders can beat out Watson, he’ll be the guy in 2026.
