The Cleveland Browns are off to a strong start in the 2026 NFL season with a 3-1 record after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Few expected the Browns to sit at 3-1 at this point, and young players from Cleveland’s last couple of drafts are making a big impact across the board. 

There’s still plenty of football to be played with Week 5 on deck. Still, it’s never too early to look at what the Browns could do in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

Today I’m digging in on  3-round mock draft using a draft order based on reverse Super Bowl odds, and it addresses some of Cleveland’s biggest long-term needs.

Round 1, 5th overall pick: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

With the fifth overall pick, the Browns select quarterback Darian Mensah out of Miami. Mensah has been everything the Hurricanes could have hoped for when they landed him out of the transfer portal from Duke this past offseason.He has thrown 15 touchdown passes with no interceptions. Mensah is supremely efficient with the ball, and he looks the part of a first-round pick.

Deshaun Watson might be playing well enough for the Browns to keep starting him for now. However, Cleveland needs a quarterback of the future, and Mensah would fit the bill.

Round 1, 32nd overall pick: Will Heldt, EDGE, Clemson

With the 32nd overall pick, the Browns select edge rusher Will Heldt out of Clemson. A number of pass rushers could land in the late first- and second-round range, and Heldt is one of them. He was productive at Purdue before transferring to Clemson. Through five games, Heldt has four sacks, and he’s positioning himself to be an early-round pick next spring.

Cleveland needs to keep adding edge talent. Isaiah McGuire, Derek Barnett, and Sam Williams are all on expiring deals. Jared Verse and Alex Wright are the only two mainstays in the edge room after this season, and Wright will be coming off an Achilles injury. The Browns have to add a pass rusher early in the next draft, and Heldt would be a good swing.

Round 2, 37th pick: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana

In the second round, the Browns take offensive tackle Carter Smith out of Indiana. Smith has been a very good left tackle for the Hoosiers over the past few years. The idea here is that he could flip to the right side and become Cleveland’s right tackle of the future.

Right tackle with Tytus Howard is the weak point on the Browns’ offensive line right now. If Cleveland can add a rookie who starts next year, it would give the team young players at a minimum of three of the five offensive line spots. Spencer Fano is already in place at left tackle, and Austin Barber is at right guard.

Round 3, 69th pick: Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon

To close out the mock draft, the Browns take defensive tackle Barrett Alexander out of Oregon. Mason Graham is Cleveland’s top defensive tackle, and Maliek Collins is the other starter right now. Collins isn’t getting any younger, though.

If the Browns can find a starting-caliber defensive tackle to pair with Graham for the future, it would be a big win. It would also let Cleveland keep using Mike Hall Jr. as quality depth.

Alexander has two sacks and 17 tackles in four games, his strongest start at the college level. Last season was his best yet at Oregon, when he posted 50 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. He seems to have found his footing since transferring from USC, and he should be a Day 2 pick if all goes according to plan.