B-
Cleveland Browns
The Browns checked most of the boxes and earned a B-.
by TBarin13 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 1 steals
· 2 reaches
The Browns put a flag in the ground for Jordan Hall, 87 picks before anyone else would have, and the value took the hit. Good, not great, and the B- says as much.
The quarterback hole is the one line item this class does not answer. Getting Slaughter where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 6th overall pick they get a three-down second-level presence. More want than need.
In No. 24 they get a long-term starter on the line at fair value. A real need, handled.
A tidy little value on Omar Cooper Jr. in pick 39, a step better than break-even. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A quiet steal in pick No. 70: Jake Slaughter for less than the market said. A need, and now a little less of one.
A real head-scratcher, Joe Royer in the Round 4 slot is miles ahead of his ranking. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Malik Benson in Round 5, Pick 6 is fair value, right on his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They took Charles Demmings at par in pick 149, which is nothing to complain about. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Dalton Johnson at slot 206 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Value said wait; Jordan Hall in pick No. 248 says they were not listening. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.