A-
Cleveland Browns
The Browns robbed the room for Taaffe. Final grade: A-.
by robisindy ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 6 steals
· 2 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Browns watched Michael Taaffe slide 36 picks past his grade and did not hesitate. The board rewarded a patient, disciplined weekend with a A-.
They robbed the room blind at the table, and it lifts the grade on its own. They are betting Tiernan proves the room right and everyone else wrong. The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
Bottom line, they did the job about as well as it can be done.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick No. 13 they get the heartbeat of the defense at fair value. More want than need.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Caleb Tiernan in slot 39, miles early. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They let Omar Cooper Jr. come to them and pounced at Round 2, Pick 17. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Jake Slaughter at pick 70 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. The roster fit checks out.
A top-tier safety at a bargain, Michael Taaffe in the Round 4 slot, plain and simple. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Drew Allar at the 146th pick is a conviction pick that outran the value. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A tidy bit of business in the 149th overall pick, where Hezekiah Masses graded well above the range. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Kaytron Allen in No. 163 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A straight-up fair deal on Aaron Graves at the Round 6 slot, value and slot in agreement. A need, and now a little less of one.
Circle this one: Miles Kitselman at No. 248 is a fall that decides a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.