Why Browns should select OT before WR in Round 1 of 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns own two first-round picks, with the No. 6 selection and the No. 24 selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars trade, presenting the Browns the chance to add two talented players in this year's draft.
Two positions have emerged as very likely candidates for these selections: offensive tackle and wide receiver. The only question is which the Browns will go with first.
With reporting from Alber Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Browns' decision should clearly be to take an OT before a WR in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The reason why is clear: an OT run is very likely in Round 1 this year.
"With so many teams having a need at the position," Breer writes, "and the position being of such great value, my guess is that the well running dry could provoke some movement."
Offensive tackle is a position that plenty of teams will likely consider in Round 1 of this year's draft. Fortunately, only the Arizona Cardinals are a real threat to take OT before the Browns with the No. 6 pick. That math changes in a big way if they wait until pick 24.
The Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles are all in need of OT help.
With only seven viable first-rounders - Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor, Caleb Lomu, Blake Miller, Max Iheanachor - the Browns would have a hard time landing a tackle with the 24th pick.
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Instead, the Browns should take their tackle with the earlier of their two first-round picks, as finding a tackle down the board will be a lot more challenging for the Browns.
Add in that there's a deep WR draft class, with one of Omar Cooper Jr., KC Concepcion, or Denzel Boston likely to be available with the 24th pick, taking OT early makes a lot more sense than going WR early.
Andrew Berry and the Browns should be going after an OT earlier in the NFL Draft, with the chances for an OT run very possible in this year's class, as Breer noted is his guess for what will happen come Thursday night.
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