Cleveland Browns earned a new spot in latest NFL power rankings post-2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror and it looks to have been a successful one for the Cleveland Browns. But what did it do for them in the latest power rankings?
We are past the 2026 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns will hold their rookie minicamp this coming weekend. From there, OTAs will take place later in May, then the mandatory minicamp is here in June.
Cleveland made 10 selections in the recent draft and it looks to be a really strong haul for the second year in a row. The Browns filled their biggest needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver while adding good value throughout. Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren will all be key parts of the Browns’ future.
CBS gives the Browns a new spot in post-draft power rankings
The Browns are coming off a 5-12 season and their biggest question remains at quarterback despite the other improvements they made. CBS’ Pete Prisco has the Browns as the No. 30 team in his latest power rankings. Cleveland is ahead of only the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. Cleveland is up from the No. 31 spot replacing the Cardinals.
“For the second consecutive year, they had a really good draft,” Prisco wrote. “This team has talent. But we know it’s all about the quarterback position. I think Deshaun Watson will start.”
Browns’ offseason facts
- Cleveland has moved off of all five starters from last year’s offensive line. The Browns brought in RT Tytus Howard, G Zion Johnson, and G/C Elgton Jenkins to all be starters up front.
- The Browns watched Devin Bush walk in free agency and brought in former New York Jets LB Quincy Williams to be his replacement.
- Cleveland has four quarterbacks pushing for three spots after adding Taylen Green in the draft. Watson is locked in for 2026 while Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel enter their second seasons.
Power rankings don’t mean a whole lot at this point in the season, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise with where the Browns are. Cleveland may not end the season as the third-worst team in the NFL, but there’s a chance they do too. The Browns need improved quarterback play from either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, and there’s no real reason it’s going to happen with what we’ve seen.
Cleveland will have a first-year head coach in Todd Monken and that’s a variable in itself. The Browns have won eight combined games over the last year, so pressure is on for some kind of improvement to be shown.
The Browns have missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons. There’d have to be a big improvement in 2026 for that to change. I don’t believe the Browns will be playing in the playoffs in 2026, but they can take an important step toward getting there routinely.
