Cleveland Browns might be wise to take the 2026 NFL Draft trade that has been gaining a lot of smoke
The Browns are a team who could very well trade back in the upcoming draft. Moving down makes a lot of sense an ESPN might be onto something with their latest trade proposal.
It’s draft month around the NFL and we’re less than three weeks away from the three-day event. For a team like the Cleveland Browns, it’s going to be a crucial roster-building time for the team.
Cleveland has two first-round draft picks they must hit on with wide receiver and offensive tackle being the biggest need. Picking at No. 6 overall has the Browns in a spot where they can really do a number of things.
Making a trade could be on the table for the Browns, GM Andrew Berry has never been shy about making a move. Cleveland traded its first-round pick last year, and it could be on tap to happen again.
ESPN’s proposed draft trade for the Cleveland Browns could be a nice fit
Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently proposed a trade for the Browns to move back in the first round with the Dallas Cowboys. Below is what each team would get.
Browns get: 1-12, 1-20, 2027 second-round pick
Cowboys get: 1-6, 1-24, 2027 fifth-round pick
“Assuming the Browns don’t draft a quarterback with one of their early selections in 2026, the target for Cleveland’s long-term answer under center would be in the 2027 class. The Browns have their own picks on Days 1 and 2 next year, which helps, but adding a second-round pick in that draft would add extra flexibility if general manager Andrew Berry needed to move up to get his guy.”
BIll barnwell
ESPN
The Browns move back six picks to then move their second first-round pick up four spots while adding a second-round pick in the future for a fifth-rounder. It’s a good value for Cleveland because they still get to keep pick No. 39 in the second round of this draft, and they add the second-rounder next year.
What could the Browns do with the picks from this trade?
Moving back to No. 12 would have me wanting the Browns to take USC WR Makai Lemon. If it isn’t Lemon, this could be a spot where the Browns feel comfortable taking Georgia OT Monroe Freeling. Freeling might be too raw a prospect to take at No. 6, but the Browns could feel better doing so in a trade back.
Ideally, the Browns are using their second pick at No. 20 on a wideout if they take a tackle early, or vice versa. Some wideouts make sense in the back half of the first round like Omar Cooper Jr., Chris Bell, or Denzel Boston. Tackles to watch in the back half of the first round would be Caleb Lomu and Kadyn Proctor.
Trade backs aren’t favorites for everyone but Browns fans should be prepared for another one to happen this year, given where they’re positioned and what they need. The Cowboys make sense as a possible team to make the move with.
