BEREA — What’s the best outcome the Browns could find themselves in coming out of the first round of the NFL draft? What’s the worst one?
Is there a scenario that a pick at No. 6 comes across as a reach, at least in the moment? Is there a scenario where the Browns pick at No. 6 and then try to move up from No. 24?
As the draft nears, let’s dive into some of the ways the first round could potentially play out for the Browns April 23.
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Best case scenario: Browns trade back, pick up 3rd 1st-round pick, still get OT, WR
This is pretty straightforward. The last several months have been spent talking about offensive tackle and wide receiver. The mock drafts have consistently, for the most part, had them selecting both in some order. Recently, the Browns have been widely linked to trading back, specifically to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 and potentially even picking up Dallas’ second first at No. 20 in the process. So let’s combine those two into: Browns come away with three first-round picks and turn them into a tackle, wide receiver and one other potedntial day-one starter.
Worst care scenario: Browns trade back, but miss on top tackle targets in NFL draft
This one is a little more vague, because only they know what their board looks like. Also, there’s at least enough talent at both tackle and wide receiver that, barring them trading way back, someone reasonably close to that top tier should still be on the board when they pick. There’s always the risk of a run on a position, which it seems would hurt more if it were tackle than wide receiver. This is a deep enough wide receiver group that even day two picks could have high upside. The tackle group, however, thins out quick after the initial group.
Most defensible non-OT/WR pick at No. 6: Pick your favorite edge rusher like David Bailey or Reuben Bain
Oh, the takes that would fly if the Browns selected someone like David Bailey or Reuben Bain (just to pick a couple of names) at No. 6. Not just because of the “What does it mean for Myles Garrett” talk, but just for the fact it’s another high pick on a defensive player on a team full of offensive needs. Well, here’s the argument for the pick. You absolutely still need help at the defensive end position, even with Alex Wright under contract. Say Bailey does somehow slide to No. 6 and no one offers enough to come up to get him, that’s the kind of talent and at a high-impact position that certainly could draw the Browns into picking him. Not saying that this would be the ideal outcome, just that it would be an understandable outcome.
Least defensible non-OT/WR pick at No. 6: Let’s have the Caleb Downs/Jeremiyah Love discussion
Start here: Downs and Love are absolutely two of the three-to-five best players in this draft. There’s absolutely a path that 10 years from now we’re talking about Downs helping redefine safety play in the NFL. But, and this is said with a whole lot of love, this team can’t bypass potentially whichever tackle or wide receiver (or even edge rusher) is at the top of their board when they’re on the clock for a safety, even one as absolutely unique and talent as Downs. The parallel conversation is around Love. Yes, Love does a lot more than just catch passes. Yes, Love would help the offense. However, when your needs are as pronounced at such premium positions as tackle and wide receiver, taking a running back at No. 6, even one as great as Love is, seems a bit rich. Remember, the New York Giants won nothing with Saquon Barkley and as great as Bijan Robinson has been, when was the last time you saw the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs?
Favorite target to trade down with: Dallas Cowboys at No. 12
Some version of this trade has been mocked by so many people it’s almost to the point where it’ll be a disappointment if it doesn’t happen. The ideal trade is the one where the Browns give Dallas No. 6 and No. 39 in the second round, plus potentially a 2026 or 2027 day-three pick, to move to No. 12 while also picking up a third first-round pick at No. 20. Obviously, that would be fantastic, but there’s also a world where it’s a second that gets thrown into the mix by the Cowboys instead of their second first. Regardless, sitting at No. 12 may be the sweet spot for value and the players who could be available at the two big positions of need.
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Least favorite target to trade down with: Baltimore Ravens at No. 14
If this needs to be explained, then not sure what we’re doing here. It’s also so far-fetched to think it would happen.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns 1st round NFL draft projections eye best, worst case scenarios
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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