Browns mock draft round-up: Experts stun with surprise defender & rising OL star

Buckle up, Browns fans—the "lying season" is about to hit high gear. We are officially looking at the last batch of mock drafts before the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine workouts kick off in Indianapolis this week. 

Right now, it’s all about the tape, but once the stopwatches start clicking at Lucas Oil Stadium, everything we think we know is going out the window. A sub-4.40 forty or a freakish vertical can turn a mid-round sleeper into a first-round lock overnight, completely reshuffling big boards from the offensive line to the secondary. 

Before the measurements and 40-yard dashes flip the script, let's dive into the final pre-Indy round-up, where experts are suddenly pivoting toward a shocker on defense and a massive riser on the O-line for Cleveland.

More: NFL Combine tracker: 3 safeties the Browns must watch (who aren't Caleb Downs)

No. 6

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6’6”, 302-lbs)

“The Browns must revamp their offensive line to control the trenches. Fano is an athletic people mover with the quickness and agility to play in a zone-based or gap scheme.” (NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks)

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6'3", 195-lbs)

"You have to believe the Browns will use free agency and multiple picks to upgrade an aging offensive line. Tate brings extensive experience and the ability to win anywhere on the field. He's a polished route runner who tracks and high-points the ball in contested-catch situations. Tate is a dependable, trustworthy receiver with strong hands who moves the chains and gives Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders a weapon to help jumpstart the offense." (CBS Sports)

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6’6”, 315-lbs)

“With all the Browns needs on the offensive line, this would be an easy choice.” (ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi)

No. 24 (via Jacksonville)

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (6’4”, 209-lbs)

“If the Browns are committed to building a basketball team on the perimeter, with a variety of wide receivers possessing different skills, the need to acquire a big-bodied pass catcher could make Boston the pick.” (NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks)

Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M (6'2", 248-lbs)

"Myles Garrett and the Browns' defense would become even more dominant if they pair him with another skilled pass rusher. Howell wins with speed and a strong long arm, and he counters inside when tackles overset. He plays with a great motor and shows natural pass-rush instincts. Howell also has the twitch and get-off to create problems." (CBS Sports)

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (6’7”, 315-lbs)

“Their entire starting offensive line from last season is unsigned: Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin. And Dawand Jones, who would have started, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. So we know where this pick has to go.

Freeling has started only 18 games, but he's a solid pass protector. He just needs some work as a run blocker. His ceiling is high, and I like the idea of pairing the 6-foot-7 Freeling with the 6-foot-8 Jones as the O-line's bookends.” (ESPN’s Mel Kiper)

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