Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa would be a no-brainer pick for the Browns if they hadn't traded for a right tackle already. Mauigoa can't play left tackle, but he's the best O-lineman in the draft. (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
In a relaxed, off-the-record session at NFL owners meetings two weeks ago, Jimmy Haslam polled Northeast Ohio media on what the Browns ought to do with the No. 6 pick in the draft.
After the first two respondents said, “Trade down,” Haslam, a bit exasperated, exclaimed, “What if we can’t?”
And therein lies the problem the Browns very well may be facing.
Trading down, just a bit, is preferable because there aren’t a lot of offensive options worthy of the No. 6 pick. If GM Andrew Berry could acquire an extra pick in the talent-rich 2027 draft and fill an offensive position of need, it would be a home run.
But if Berry can’t trade down and the Browns are forced to take a player at No. 6, I believe the choices would come down to Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
And something tells me the Browns are not that high on Tate, which is sad.
As for Mauigoa, he is the best offensive lineman, in my opinion, but Berry’s veteran acquisitions leave the team with obvious voids at left tackle and center – neither of which Mauigoa will ever play.
What about Utah lineman Spencer Fano, the jack of all trades and master of none? He has been a recent popular mock choice for the Browns, but I have no idea where the Browns would play him. I don’t think versatility should be the major trait of a player selected as high as No. 6.
This is our penultimate mock draft. The last one will be our official prediction of the first round and will be posted on April 23 – first night of the NFL draft.
Mock draft 7.0
1. Las Vegas: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Comment: He and Kirk Cousins are already viewing film together.
2. N. Y. Jets: OLB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Comment: Will be one of seven new starters on Aaron Glenn’s defense.
3. Arizona: DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Comment: They have no other pass rushers.
4. Tennessee: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Comment: Right player for the right team.
5. N. Y. Giants: OLB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Comment: For the sixth consecutive mock.
6. Cleveland: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Comment: George Warhop will have to figure out the configuration.
7. Washington: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Comment: Best cornerback makes the most sense.
8. New Orleans: DE Reuben Bain, Miami
Comment: Saints need a pass rusher.
9. Kansas City: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Comment: Time to rebuild Chiefs secondary.
10. Cincinnati: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Comment: Will have to wait for pass rusher later.
11. Miami: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
12. Dallas: DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
13. L.A. Rams (via Atlanta): WR Makai Lemon, USC
14: Baltimore: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Comment: He might play center his first year.
15: Tampa Bay: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
16: N.Y. Jets (via Indianapolis): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
17. Detroit: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
18. Minnesota: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
19. Carolina: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
20. Dallas (via Green Bay): CB Aveion Terrell, Clemson
21. Pittsburgh: WR Omar Cooper, Indiana
Comment: Big Mike stocks up on offense.
22. L.A. Chargers: OG Vega Ioane, Penn State
23. Philadelphia: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
24. Cleveland (via Jacksonville): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Comment: Big target with strong hands.
25. Chicago: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
26. Buffalo: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
27. San Francisco: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
28. Houston: OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
29. Kansas City (via L.A. Rams): KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
30. Miami: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
31. New England: DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
32. Seattle: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame