CLEVELAND — A 5-12 record stings, but the Cleveland Browns refuse to lick their wounds. Last season operated in extreme contradictions. On defense, Myles Garrett hunted quarterbacks to the tune of a historic 23 sacks, while rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger exploded from walk-on obscurity to claim the 2025 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. The stadium shook every time the defense took the field. Then the offense stepped in, and the energy completely vanished. A battered offensive line and erratic quarterback play resulted in one of the lowest-scoring units in football. GM Andrew Berry recognized the bleeding and aggressively patched the holes in free agency. As the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, Cleveland holds a rare luxury. They fixed the foundation. Now, they hunt for weapons.
Rebuilding the Wall
You cannot launch a deep pass if your quarterback is staring at the stadium lights from his back. Berry attacked the free agency period with a clear, brutal mission: protect the pocket. Trading for tackle Tytus Howard set an immediate physical tone. Cleveland followed that strike by handing a lucrative deal to former Chargers guard Zion Johnson and signing two-time Pro Bowl center Elgton Jenkins away from Green Bay. Retaining Teven Jenkins completed the massive overhaul. The Browns transformed a glaring weakness into a concrete wall. This front will bully defensive lines in both the run and pass games. Because of this massive investment, Cleveland avoids the trap of drafting for pure desperation. They can scour the board for pure value.
Hunting the Perimeter Sleepers
With the trenches locked down, the focus shifts entirely to the perimeter. Everyone knows the blue-chip names at the top of the board, but championships run on the unheralded guys drafted on Day 2 and Day 3. Here are three wideouts flashing heavily on Cleveland’s radar.
- Denzel Boston (Washington): Standing 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Boston provides the sheer physical mass Cleveland lacks on the outside. He caught 62 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He does not just win jump balls; he creates natural separation. Averaging over four yards after the catch, he moves the chains consistently against heavy man coverage.
- Chris Bell (Louisville): Bell forces defensive backs to make business decisions. Before a late-season ACL tear derailed his senior year, Bell racked up 72 catches for 917 yards. His contact balance draws legitimate Deebo Samuel comparisons. The Browns already brought him to Berea for a top-30 visit. Medical checks will dictate his draft stock, but his explosiveness screams first-round talent available at a massive discount.
- Elijah Sarratt (Indiana): If you want flash, look elsewhere. If you want a receiver who drops fewer than two percent of his targets, Sarratt is your guy. He tallied 64 catches for 824 yards in 2025, thriving against both man and zone coverages. He keeps drives alive, pure and simple.
“We dragged our defense through the mud last year because we couldn’t stay on the field. We signed the big guys up front to stop the bleeding. Now, we just need absolute dogs on the outside who will fight for the ball. No more excuses.”— Anonymous Browns Offensive Assistant Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The AFC North forgives no one. The Ravens and Bengals will punish any roster with a weak link. By fortifying the offensive line with veterans like Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard, the Browns completely altered their offensive identity. If they hit on just one of these sleeper receivers—particularly a physical mismatch like Boston or an explosive YAC monster like Bell—their offensive ceiling skyrockets. An elite defense featuring Garrett and Schwesinger only needs an average offense to win double-digit games. If these draft picks produce immediately, Cleveland transforms from a 5-12 bottom-feeder back into a legitimate playoff threat. The front office built the engine. The draft will provide the spark.
