No matter whom the Browns pick at No. 6 in next week's NFL draft, he won't approach the career of the great Jim Brown, the No. 6 overall pick of the 1957 draft.
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
When Jimmy Haslam explained why GM Andrew Berry survived an 8-26 record the past two seasons – and coach Kevin Stefanski did not – the Browns owner cited Berry’s superb 2025 record in the draft, free agency and trades.
And he challenged Berry to do it all again in 2026.
“The next 120 days are crucial for the organization,” Haslam said on January 5. “We’ve got to find the right head coach. We’ve got to be efficient again in free agency. We have 10 draft picks, including two number ones. We have four of the top (seven) picks in the top three rounds. We’ve got to get really good players who are really good people again. We’ve got to be opportunistic if trade opportunities come along.”
Since Haslam’s declaration, the Browns traded a fifth-round pick for Houston offensive tackle Tytus Howard, leaving them with nine selections in the 2026 draft beginning one week from Thursday.
They own picks Nos. 6, 24, 39, 70, 107, 146, 149, 206 and 248.
What can Berry expect to extract from his seventh Browns draft if he keeps all those picks?
One guide is to examine the history of those individual selections – both in recent NFL drafts overall and in past Browns drafts.
No. 6, first round
Last three drafts
2025: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Raiders
Behind a non-existent offensive line, he started all 17 games and finished with 975 yards and five rushing TDs, plus 55 receptions and five TD catches.
2024: WR Malik Nabers, LSU, Giants
After a 109-catch, seven-TD rookie season, a torn ACL limited him to four games last year.
2023: OT Paris Johnson, Ohio State, Cardinals
He broke in at right tackle but has been a stalwart at left tackle the past two seasons.
Past Browns picks at No. 6:
2013: LB Barkevious Mingo, LSU
2004: TE Kellen Winslow II, Miami
1957: RB Jim Brown, Syracuse
Paul Brown wanted to find Otto Graham’s successor, but when the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Purdue’s Len Dawson at No. 5, Brown stumbled upon one of the NFL’s greatest players in history.
No. 24, first round
Last three drafts
2025: OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, Vikings
An immediate starter at left guard, he missed three games due to wrist surgery and finished second among team linemen with 795 offensive snaps.
2024: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama, Lions
After starting 15 games as a rookie, shoulder injuries limited him to eight games in 2025. He has one career interception.
2023: DB Deonte Banks, Maryland, Giants
A 35-game starter who was demoted last year amid a coordinator change, his biggest play in three years was a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to clinch a win over the Raiders last season.
Past Browns picks at No. 24
None.
No. 39, second round
Last three drafts
2025: WR Luther Burden, Missouri, Bears
His emergence as a rookie (47 receptions, 652 yards) led to the trade of D.J. Moore to the Bills in March.
2024: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State, Rams
An All-Rookie selection in 2024 after recording 8.5 sacks, he’s a mainstay on the defensive front of a Super Bowl contender.
2023: WR Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi, Panthers
Since he was traded to the Cowboys in his second year for a fourth-round pick, he has six receptions in 14 games.
Past Browns picks at No. 39
1978: P Johnny Evans, North Carolina State
Drafted as a backup quarterback and punter, he never played on offense and had a 39.5-yard punt average in three seasons.
1952: OG Elmer Costa, North Carolina State
1951: E Bob Oristaglio, Penn
1950: B Jimmy Joe Robinson, Pittsburgh
No. 70, third round
Last three drafts
2025: WR Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas, Lions
Made three starts as a rookie; 14 of his 16 receptions gained first downs.
2024: DB Andru Phillips, Kentucky, Giants
The Giants’ starting nickelback has three interceptions and 13 pass breakups in two seasons.
2023: DT Byron Young, Alabama, Raiders
Cut by the Raiders after his rookie season, he was claimed by the Eagles and missed the entire 2024 season but came back and had 2.5 sacks in 2025.
Past Browns picks at No. 70
1979: DE Jim Ramey, Kentucky
He played with five teams in three leagues, but never appeared in a game with the Browns.
1959: OT Jim Prestel, Idaho
No. 107, fourth round
Last three drafts
2025: LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame, Jaguars
Primarily a special teamer his rookie season.
2024: TE Theo Johnson, Penn State, Giants
As TE2 with the Giants, he’s averaged 37 receptions and three TDs in two seasons.
2023: C Jake Andrews, Troy, Patriots
Released by New England in his second season, he found new life as starting center with the Texans in 2025.
Past Browns picks at No. 107
1989: DE Andrew Stewart, Cincinnati
Voted the Maurice Bassett Award as Browns outstanding rookie in 1989, he found more success in the CFL playing for three Grey Cup championship teams.
1963: E Walt Sweeney, Syracuse
1953: B Bob McNamara, Minnesota
No. 146, fifth round
Last three drafts
2025: DE Bradyn Swinson, LSU, Patriots
He’s a backup edge rusher entering his second season.
2024: DB Jarvis Brownlee, Louisville, Titans
After making 14 starts as a rookie, he was traded to the Jets in 2025 and became their starting nickelback.
2023: DB Jordan Howden, Minnesota, Saints
He has 13 starts in three years, with two interceptions.
Past Browns picks at No. 146
2000: DB Lamar Chapman, Kansas State
Injuries limited him to one NFL season. He played another year in the CFL.
1974: RB Billy Pritchett, West Texas State
No. 149, fifth round
Last three drafts
2025: RB Jaydon Blue, Texas, Cowboys
He played mostly on special teams.
2024: DB Josh Newton, Texas Christian, Bengals
He has one interception as Cincinnati’s fifth CB.
2023: QB Sean Clifford, Penn State, Packers
After two years as QB3 in Green Bay, he’s now QB4 in Cincinnati.
Past Browns picks at No. 149
1983: NT Dave Puzzuoli, Pittsburgh
In five seasons as Bob Golic’s backup, he registered the only sack of John Elway during ‘The Drive’ in the 1986 season AFC title game.
1978: C Al Pitts, Michigan State
1972: OG Leonard Forey, Texas A&M
1963: E Art Graham, Boston College
No. 206, sixth round
Last three drafts
2025: OT Chase Lundt, Connecticut, Bills
A knee injury ended his rookie year. He’s the backup right tackle in 2026.
2024: LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State, Browns
A torn bicep cost him his second season. New special teams coach Byron Storer named him as a core player in his intro press conference.
2023: WR Andrei Iosavis, Princeton, Bengals
He has 12 TDs in three years as Joe Burrow’s WR3.
Past Browns picks at No. 206
2024: LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
2000: OG Brad Bedell, Colorado
Old-time Browns scribes still chuckle at him being introduced as Brade Bedell on draft day after somebody mistakenly added an E to his first name.
No. 248, seventh round
Last three drafts:
2025: TE Moliki Matavao, UCLA, Saints
He enters his second season as TE3.
2024: OG C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross, Chiefs
He’s KayCee’s LG2.
2023: DB Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh, Texans
Currently without a team.
Past Browns picks at No. 248
2011: DB Eric Hagg, Nebraska
He made four starts at safety his second and last season for defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.
1971: LB Steve Casteel, Oklahoma