A lot has been made about the Cleveland Browns perceived desire to trade down in the 2026 NFL draft. Most have believed that the Dallas Cowboys would be the most likely trade-down partner, while the Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as a team looking to make a move up the board as well.
Trading down from Top 10 picks has mostly been successful for NFL teams over the last decade, but Browns fans, rightfully, have seen failure after failure with those decisions. As medical updates, two on offense and one on defense, roll in, and we make one final call on “need vs BPA drafting,” rumors and discussion around what could happen at the top of this year’s draft continue to swirl.
The Los Angeles Rams have now been identified as a team that may have some interest in moving up. The Rams, famous for “F Them Picks,” could look to go all-in as QB Matthew Stafford finishes out his career. “A lot of teams are expecting” Los Angeles to move up:
"I think there are two teams in the Top 15 that are willing to trade 2027 draft capital for a Top 10 pick… the other is the Rams"After attempting to move up for a pass catcher in each of the last two drafts – do the Rams pull it off this time?Jordyn Tyson to LA? https://t.co/oVY2HA0LwC pic.twitter.com/lTPWySgEWn
It is noted that Jordyn Tyson or Carnell Tate would be the primary focus of a move up the board. Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs could also be trade targets for the Rams.
Heading over to Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator, the Browns were offered (and we accepted) the following trade from LA:
In this year’s draft, moving out of the top six picks will still be costly, but not as much as it has been in the past. With that trade in place, we completed a Cleveland seven-round mock draft.
The highest floor of any offensive lineman this year, Fano can start right away or step in when Dawand Jones either gets hurt or struggles. Getting certainty with their first pick helps Cleveland feel comfortable with other selections moving forward.
First round – Pick 24 – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Concerns about drops are real, but many have put the blame on his quarterback play. The upside of adding the best separator in this year’s draft is huge for the Browns offense.
Second round – Pick 39 – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The perfect free safety for Mike Rutenberg’s defense, EMW gives Cleveland a true centerfielder to man the middle and allow Grant Delpit and others to make plays closer to the line of scrimmage.
Second round – Pick 61 – TE Oscar Delp, GeorgiaThird round – Pick 70 – WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
Grouping Delp and Lane together, the Browns add more size and playmaking to their offense with these two picks. With Harold Fannin Jr., Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Cedric Tillman, adding Concepcion, Delp, and Lane provides Todd Monken with a lot of options, along with Fano to help protect the QB.
Third round – Pick 93 – DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State
A nose tackle to clog the middle would make life easier for everyone on the defensive line on early downs and could push the pocket on passing downs.
Fourth round – Pick 107 – CB Malik Muhammad, TexasFifth round – Pick 149 – QB Cole Payton, North Dakota StateSixth round – Pick 206 – RB Adam Randall, ClemsonSeventh round – Pick 248 – FB Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
What do you think of the trade-down terms and then ensuing Browns Mock Draft?
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