B
Cleveland Browns
The steal of the weekend belongs to the Browns and Daniels: B.
by TBarin13 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 6 steals
· 1 reaches
When a board-topper like CJ Daniels slides to the 182nd overall pick, you do not overthink it, and the Browns did not. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B.
For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. The Stephens pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over.
Add it up and it is a good, unfussy class.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 6 they get a rangy last line of defense. A clean fit for the roster.
Monroe Freeling in pick 24 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A need, and now a little less of one.
Nothing to complain about; Omar Cooper Jr. went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Somehow D'Angelo Ponds was still sitting there in the 70th pick, and they pounced on premier cornerback value. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They barely believed it either: Sam Roush still on the board at the 126th overall pick. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, DeMonte Capehart at the Round 5 slot. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Beau Stephens in pick No. 149 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They robbed the room for Charles Demmings here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
CJ Daniels in No. 182 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
J'Mari Taylor in the 206th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Jack Kelly in slot 248 is fair value, right on his grade. It adds depth where they could use a little.