BEREA — The Cleveland Browns are done with temporary fixes. After a 2025 season where the wide receiver room combined for a league-low 1,467 yards, GM Andrew Berry is using his two first-round picks to ensure the offense finally has a foundation. The mission is clear: protect the pocket and find a playmaker who can actually separate.
Cleveland spent the opening weeks of free agency aggressive and expensive. They secured Tytus Howard via trade and signed veterans Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins to massive deals. But the work isn’t finished. Most experts, including Daniel Jeremiah and Tim Crean, believe the Browns will use the No. 6 overall pick on a franchise tackle.
Read More: 2026 NFL Draft: Orlovsky, McElroy Breakdown Mendoza, Allar, and “Complete” Jeremiyah Love
Monroe Freeling is the name rising to the top of the board. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, the Georgia product possesses 34 3/4-inch arms and the rare lateral twitch needed to handle elite AFC North edge rushers. While Spencer Fano from Utah offers more versatility to play inside, Freeling represents the “true left tackle” profile Cleveland has lacked since Joe Thomas. Drafting Freeling would allow Tytus Howard to stay at his natural right tackle spot, creating the most stable front five Cleveland has fielded in years.
The aggression doesn’t stop at the line. With the No. 24 pick, the Browns are hunting for juice. Mel Kiper Jr. recently projected USC’s Makai Lemon to Cleveland, a move that would immediately upgrade a room that struggled to move the chains last fall. Lemon hauled in 1,156 yards in 2025, proving he can win in the slot or on the boundary. Some analysts even suggest a trade-up to No. 22 to jump the Eagles for Jordyn Tyson, the most explosive vertical threat in the 2026 class.
“We aren’t just looking for bodies to fill a depth chart. We need guys who can win their individual matchups on every single snap. If you can’t protect and you can’t create space, you can’t win in this league. It’s that simple.”
— Todd Monken, Browns Head Coach
The Browns entered this offseason with nine draft picks and a desperate need to stabilize the roster. By fixing the offensive line through free agency, Berry removed the “emergency” tag from the draft. This flexibility is vital. If Freeling is gone by No. 6, Cleveland can pivot to a defensive game-wrecker or trade back to accumulate more assets for 2027.
Read More: Chiefs Ignite 2026 Offense: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III Inks Historic Deal
The real test begins in late April. If Cleveland lands a bookend tackle and a dynamic receiver like Lemon or Tyson, they transform from a bottom-tier offense into a legitimate threat in the AFC North. With Quinshon Judkins entering his second year in the backfield, a dominant line could be the spark that finally maximizes this roster’s potential. All eyes now turn to the local pro days and the final visits in Berea.
