2026 Cleveland Browns’ 3-round mock draft: Free agency moves have opened the door to a potential major surprise first pick

The latest mock draft for the Cleveland Browns has them making an unexpected decision at No. 6 overall, where they could end up with a defensive All-Pro.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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The Cleveland Browns have made it through a couple weeks of free agency and they done a rather solid job of filling their biggest need. 

Cleveland went into free agency with all five starters from the 2025 team free agents. Additions of G Zion Johnson and G/C Elgton Jenkins were key for the Browns, and the team re-signed Teven Jenkins. All of these moves came a week after Cleveland traded for OT Tytus Howard.  

The Browns have made the majority of the free agent moves they’re going to before the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. Cleveland’s biggest needs are at wide receiver and left tackle heading into a draft with two first round picks. 

In the latest 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft here at A to Z Sports, the Browns go best player available with their first pick before filling the left tackle need late in the first round. 

Round 1, Pick 6: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

Round 1, Pick 24: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 

Round 2, Pick 39: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State 

Round 3, Pick 70: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson 

Breaking down the Browns’ mock draft 

Cleveland has two solid starting safeties with Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman. Adding Downs into the equation would give them the best safety trio in football. While it’s not a need for the team, Downs being the best player available and another building block for an already good defense is an exciting idea. In this mock, Carnell Tate went off the board to five, who I think should be the pick at No. 6. With Tate gone, going with Downs makes some sense. 

The Browns pass at taking a tackle with their first pick but was still able to land the future starting left tackle at No. 24. Freeling could have went back to school and probably have become a top five pick, so he’s a bit raw still. Cleveland can be semi-patient with him and he has the traits at 6-foot-7 to be a long term answer. 

Going with a cornerback in the top of the second round is an interesting decision where the Browns probably could have found a better wideout prospect than taking Williams in the third round. Still, the Browns drafted a future starter potentially to take over for Denzel Ward. 

Cleveland addressed their biggest needs in the mock draft, though it didn’t come in the expected order. With a month to go until the draft, the No. 1 thing to keep an eye on is whether or not the Browns trade any more of their nine picks. 

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