The Cleveland Browns offseason is already underway, and the franchise will need every possible advantage to recover from yet another disappointing year that ended without a 2025 NFL playoffs appearance. Planning began the moment Cleveland was eliminated, with the spotlight firmly on general manager Andrew Berry and his ability to reshape the roster through the NFL Draft.
Berry’s strongest work has consistently come via the draft, and the Cleveland Browns draft strategy in 2026 could determine whether this long-struggling franchise finally turns the corner toward contention.
Draft capital gives Browns a path forward
According to Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, the upcoming draft is a make-or-break moment given Cleveland’s salary-cap situation and roster gaps.
“The Browns’ cap sheet is a fireable offense,” Verderame wrote, pointing to the massive Deshaun Watson contract, which carries an $80.7 million cap hit and multiple void years into 2026. With Cleveland projected to be over the cap and facing numerous roster holes, the NFL Draft represents the clearest solution.
After trading back with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns own two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft:
No. 6 overall (their own pick after a poor 2025 season)
No. 24 overall (acquired via the Jaguars trade involving Travis Hunter)
They also hold additional mid-round selections, giving them the volume needed to rebuild key areas of the roster.
Quarterback questions and roster building
A central storyline is whether Cleveland believes it has its future quarterback in Shedeur Sanders. If so, the Browns can focus on building around him after drafting young contributors like Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. If not, Berry may need to make an aggressive move for a franchise quarterback.
Still, hitting on just two first-round picks won’t be enough. Cleveland must find depth, value, and starters throughout the entire draft. Another strong class-following a promising 2025 group-could realistically push the Browns into the 2026 playoff conversation.
Free agency vs. draft focus
NFL free agency will be challenging due to limited cap flexibility, making low-cost, high-upside signings essential. However, the draft gives Cleveland full control over its future, which is why it remains the centerpiece of the Browns’ offseason strategy.
NFL free agency begins in mid-March, while the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April. For the Browns, those dates may define whether this rebuild finally gains real momentum.
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