Cleveland Browns may have all but ruled out drafting one top prospect thanks to important NFL trade to start the week
The Browns’ offseason plans look a little more clear after their trade to start the week.
The Cleveland Browns got into the news to start the week with a substantial NFL trade with a common trade partner.
Cleveland sent a fifth-round pick they had from the move where they sent Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders to the Houston Texans in exchange for OT Tytus Howard. The trade gave the Browns a solid starting offensive lineman and their only starter under contract.
You can rule out one player from the Browns’ draft possibilities
Though Howard has position flexibility at right tackle, left tackle, and guard — the Browns traded for him to play right tackle. Howard has 3,515 career snaps at right tackle while the 245 snaps he played at left tackle all came during the 2021 season. Miami OL Francis Mauigoa has been predominantly a right tackle during his career and is expected to be drafted very early.
Mauigoa can slide into guard but a team drafting him should let him work out where he’s played at a high level during his career at Miami. Cleveland drafting Mauigoa all but seems out of their possibilities now.
Cleveland is going to be looking for a left tackle and that guy could end up being Georgia’s Monroe Freeling. If Cleveland doesn’t go after Freeling, then Utah’s Caleb Lomu would be the other player who could be a left tackle option.
The Browns will soon get their answer from Joel Bitonio on whether or not he will return for another season. If Bitonio comes back, the Browns have two of their five starting offensive linemen figured out. Drafting the left tackle, signing a center in free agency, and figuring out right guard would be next.
After injuries have riddled Dawand Jones’ first three seasons as a pro, the Browns may look to move him inside to guard.
Not only did the Browns get their first piece to their 2026 offensive line when they traded for Howard, but they also began to show what their offseason is going to look like. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft now feels like it’s going to be used on a left tackle or wide receiver exclusively.
As far as Mauigoa goes, it’s still technically possible the Browns select him. Personally, I’d have to believe it to see it and feel comfortable in saying the Browns are probably looking elsewhere come April.
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