CLEVELAND — The Browns spent over $118 million this spring to build a steel wall around the pocket. Now, as the 2026 NFL Draft looms, GM Andrew Berry must resist the urge to keep stacking bricks where the mortar is already dry. Cleveland holds the No. 6 and No. 24 overall picks, but the path to a division title isn’t found in a redundant offensive line or a raw linebacker. It starts with a playmaker who can actually stretch the field for Todd Monken’s new-look offense.
Look at the roster today compared to January. The front office didn’t just tweak the line; they weaponized it. By trading for Tytus Howard and handing out massive contracts to Elgton Jenkins ($24M) and Zion Johnson ($49.5M), Berry turned a liability into a fortress. Even with Teven Jenkins back in the fold, the invitation to grab Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 6 feels like a trap. Mauigoa is a powerhouse, but he lacks the lateral twitch to handle the elite speed rushers currently terrorizing the AFC North. Using premium capital on a guy who might end up as a depth piece or a project guard is a luxury this team cannot afford.
The Browns don’t need another anchor. They need a jet. While Mauigoa dominated the ACC, the NFL speed gap is a different beast. Drafting him would ignore the glaring hole at wide receiver where Jerry Jeudy is currently flying solo. Cleveland needs a target who demands a double team, not another 330-pound body in a room that is already at capacity.
Then there is Arvell Reese. The Ohio State star is a Cleveland native, a Glenville hero, and a physical freak who ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. On paper, he’s the perfect story. In reality, he’s a massive risk for a team in transition. With Jim Schwartz resigning in February, the defensive identity is in flux. Reese thrived in college by out-running his mistakes, but his instincts still lag behind his elite speed. He’s a “see-ball, get-ball” player in a league that eats hesitation for breakfast.
Cleveland isn’t in a position to wait two seasons for a linebacker to learn how to read a pulling guard. They need immediate impact. Taking Reese at No. 6 or even No. 24 would be chasing a highlight reel rather than a finished product. The stadium shook when he made plays in Columbus, but the NFL demands a level of processing that Reese hasn’t put on tape yet.
“We aren’t drafting to satisfy a checklist from three months ago. We’ve handled the heavy lifting in free agency. Now, it’s about finding that one piece that makes everyone else’s job easier. Discipline is the only way we win this month.”
— Todd Monken, Browns Head Coach
The mission for the 2026 NFL Draft is clear: Get a vertical threat. If the Browns bypass the temptation of Mauigoa and the hometown allure of Reese, they can focus on the real prize. Whether it’s a trade-up for a blue-chip receiver or staying pat at No. 6 for a dynamic boundary threat, the offense needs a spark. The offensive line is fixed. The depth is there. Now, Berry must prove he has the restraint to pass on the “safe” pick to make the winning one.
