The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Cleveland Browns, the biggest need is an obvious one: Wide receiver.
The Browns have revamped their offensive line, and they might not be done. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders appear to be the two front runners vying for the QB1 job. On the outside, wide receiver is a glaring position of need. Jerry Jeudy was the Browns' only wide receiver with more than 25 receptions last season.
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Here's everything you need to know about the Cleveland Browns for this year's draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster:
Cleveland's offensive line got a massive overhaul ahead of 2026 with free agent additions in Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. That unit could use a young player, though. Freeling is one of the top tackles with experience on the left side and is one of the top athletes at the position in this class. He could grow into a long-term starter at one end of the line for the Browns as they transition away from their old identity under Kevin Stefanski.
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The Browns drafted two quarterbacks last year, and it seems Colorado product Shedeur Sanders has won the depth chart battle. Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson - and his nearly $45 million cap hit - is also on the roster. Gabriel is the most obvious odd man out in the Browns' quarterbacks room. The only question is whether the Browns would be able to find a trade partner willing to take a chance on 25-year-old, 5-11 lefty quarterback. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy could also be a trade option for Cleveland, but that would leave whoever wins the Browns' quarterback job in dire need of a new lead pass-catcher. It would also leave the Browns eating an additional $11.9 million against the cap, per OverTheCap.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cleveland Browns 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, team needs, trade candidates