B-
Cleveland Browns
A passer of the future in Simpson, and a B-, for the Browns.
by jlwalker43 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
After circling the position for what felt like forever, the Browns committed. Ty Simpson is the quarterback now, and the roster gets built to his timeline. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B-.
The Davis pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over. Anderson at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. For all the activity, edge rusher went untouched, which is hard to explain.
They went 6 of 9 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 6 they get a franchise quarterback, though they paid up to get him. The biggest hole, addressed.
In the 24th overall pick they get a weapon on the perimeter. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
By-the-book stuff, Emmanuel Pregnon at pick 39 squarely in line with his ranking. The roster fit checks out.
They paid up for Daylen Everette at slot 70 when waiting would have done the job. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, J.C. Davis well ahead of where he belonged. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
The board had cheaper options than Demond Claiborne at the Round 5 slot, and it noticed. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They paid sticker price for Rayshaun Benny in pick No. 149, and that is fine. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They barely believed it either: Aaron Anderson still on the board at the 206th pick. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Fair-plus on Luke Altmyer, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.