I could be talked into picking Cam Ward if available, but no one else because I am not a fan of this crop of quarterbacks with a top two pick, and I think grabbing an overvalued quarterback for the sake of "taking a big swing" and passing over a potential impact player is short-sighted.
If the Browns decide to try to trade into the first round (price depending) or take a quarterback with their second-round pick at number thirty-three (the first pick in the round), I would be okay with it, if not overjoyed.
I would like the Browns to leave this draft with at least one quarterback, if not two, even if both would be picked on the final day.
The crop of players mentioned as a trade-up first-round pick, or second-round rounder would be somewhat acceptable, including Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, or Jakson Dart of Ole Miss.
Tyler Shough of Louisville is the hot name, but he is already twenty-six. Jalen Milroe of Alabama is a toolsy player who needs development, but he could cost the Browns their second rounder.
I like Quinn Ewers of Texas more than most. Will Howard of Ohio State might not be a starter, but he is the type that makes the league as a backup for ten years, and Syracuse's Kyle McCord has the tools to develop if a team has the time to work with him.
The Browns require a running back to replace the departed Nick Chubb, and I'm not a believer in Jerome Ford as their number one back.
Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is my favorite back, but he'll be long gone by the Browns' second-round choice.
I love each of the Ohio State running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, but it could take the second-round choice to land either, and the Browns may not be willing to invest that high in a running back.
Henderson is the faster and more explosive of the duo, Judkins the steadier and more powerful of the pair; either would be a great addition for Cleveland.
North Carolina's Omarion Hampton could be gone before the Browns second rounder, but several backs could be available in round three who could be starting backs for the Browns.
Power running Cam Skattebo of Arizona State would be a sledgehammer between the tackles and an asset in the passing game, and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson could step in as an immediate starter.
Texas's Jordon Blue and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson are home run hitters with elite speed out of the backfield, should the Browns want to add a speedier threat, but both may not be capable of carrying a heavy load.
Kansas's Devin Neal, Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, Oregon's Jordan James, and Texas Tech's Taji Brooks were all productive college backs who could do the same in the NFL and will be available on day three.
Colorado's Travis Hunter, the Heisman winner, is not only the best wide receiver in the draft, but also the best cornerback.
Hunter would be the type of playmaker that the Browns have lacked since their 1999 return, other than the comet-like run of Josh Gordon, and after playing on both sides of the ball at Colorado, Hunter could have an impact in Cleveland in the same manner.
Unless the Browns trade down, Travis Hunter would be my choice as the Browns selection with their first rounder.
In the unlikely event of a tradedown, Tetiroa McMillan of Arizona is the best receiver outside of Hunter, Matthew Golden of Texas would bring a deep threat aspect, and I think highly of Luther Burden of Missouri.
Emeka Egbuka lacks deep speed, but he catches everything, and coming out of the Ohio State system, he would be a plug-and-play receiver.
Iowa State's Jaylin Noel is a big-play receiver, and TCU's Jack Bech might be a player who slides a bit due to his workout numbers, only to surprise in the league.
Other interesting prospects: Oregon's Tez Johnson, Ole Miss's Andrew Watkins, and Central Florida's Kobe Hudson.
Cleveland needs a young tight end with David Njoku leaping in salary (from eleven to twenty-four million for 2026), and several who could be helpful on day two after the top tight end, Penn State's Tyler Warren, is expected to be gone.
Michigan's Colton Loveland could be a late first-rounder, but three tight ends could be available early in the third round whom I like.
LSU's Mason Taylor is more likely to go in the second round, but his ball-catching skills on an athletic 6'5 frame could make him a standout in the NFL.
The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason needs to improve in his blocking but otherwise could make an impact on the right team.
Miami's Elijah Arroyo missed close to two seasons due to injury, but when Arroyo was healthy in 2024, he showed elite-level skills.
Bowling Green's Harold Fannin dominated the MAC but played well in games against Texas A&M and Penn State, so he won't be a player who will be awed by the leap in competition from the Group of Five level.
In the later rounds, Iowa's Luke Lachey has appeal as Iowa has been a program that consistently lands tight ends in the NFL.
The Browns could address the offensive line as soon as the second round.
First round bust Jedrick Wills was allowed to leave in free agency, Dawand Jones is coming off a knee injury, and Jack Conklin, while productive has suffered injury problems in the past.
There isn't a standout tackle in this draft but several that could be first round picks and should one of this group survive to the Browns second round pick, that player could be a Brown.
LSU's Luke Campbell, Missouri's Armand Membou, Texas's Kelvin Banks, Ohio State's Josh Simmons, Oregon's Josh Conerly, and Minnesota's Alreontae Ersery comprise a group that any player that falls out of the first round could have a chance to start.
A day three sleeper might be Wisconsin's 6'7 Jack Nelson, who may need time to develop but on size and strength is worth a flyer.
The Browns also have issues at guard with Joel Bitonio unlikely to play after next season ,Wyatt Teller possibly making too much money (almost twenty million) to return for 2026 without a re-structuring, and 2024 third rounder Zac Zinter looked overwhelmed in his rookie season.
Ohio State's Donovan Jackson is my top guard in the draft and as he showed last season, Jackson could move to tackle when needed.
Alabama's Tyler Booker might be the pick of others as the guard and North Dakota State's Grey Zabel really impressed me at the Senior Bowl.
The Browns seem to be safe at center with veteran Ethan Pocic backed up by Luke Wypler.
I'm all in on Travis Hunter as the Browns first round choice and this team needs playmakers as other than Jerry Jeudy and maybe on his best day David Njoku, they don't have anyone that teams fear.
Next time, we will look at players of interest on the defensive side of the ball.
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