The Browns haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2016. Could Denzel Boston of Washington end that drought?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The Browns come to the NFL Scouting Combine this week focusing on upgrading an offense that has averaged 15.8 points per game the past two seasons. That's why Todd Monken was chosen head coach over Jim Schwartz.
“It’s no secret that’s where we’re going to invest most of our resources this offseason,” GM Andrew Berry said on January 5.
Free agency will contribute to that effort, also, but it’s imperative that Berry hits bulls-eyes on offensive targets in the 2026 draft.
He did so last year with the selections of running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin with the 36th and 67th overall picks in the 2025 draft.
They were two of only eight draft picks out of 19 overall in the top 100 Berry has devoted to offense in his six drafts. The 11 others were used on defense.
At present, Berry will have four picks in the top 100 this year – No. 6, No. 24, No. 39 and No. 70.
It remains to be seen if Berry drafts offense with his top four picks. But it’s a safe bet his first two picks in the first round will be offensive players.
So that’s how we start in our Mock Draft 1.0.
Our plan is to post a mock draft every Monday through the draft season and culminate on draft night, April 23, with Mock Draft 9.0, our final official prediction of the first round.
Occasionally, we will include trades in our mock, but not in this first one.
1. Las Vegas: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Comment: There’s a 99.99999 percent chance this pick doesn’t change.
2. N. Y. Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Comment: Why not take the best edge rusher in a great year for edge rushers?
3. Arizona: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Comment: Cards need help on the O-line, but there’s no real consensus on the best offensive tackle.
4. Tennessee: DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Comment: Robert Saleh is going to take a D-lineman.
5. N. Y. Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Comment: Tate and Malik Nabers should accelerate Jaxson Dart’s growth.
6. Cleveland: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Comment: This would be an easy choice.
7. Washington: DE Rueben Bain, Miami
Comment: Beef up D-line now a Commanders priority.
8. New Orleans: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Comment: Time to add some playmakers for QB Tyler Shough.
9. Kansas City: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Comment: Seems unfair that one of top offensive players winds up with Patrick Mahomes.
10. Cincinnati: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Comment: Fits like a glove.
11. Miami: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
12. Dallas: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
13. L.A. Rams (via Atlanta): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
14: Baltimore: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Comment: Some think he’s the draft’s best overall O-lineman.
15: Tampa Bay: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
16: N.Y. Jets (via) Indianapolis: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
17. Detroit: DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
18. Minnesota: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
19. Carolina: DE Keldric Faulk, Oregon
20. Dallas (via Green Bay): DE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
21. Pittsburgh: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Comment: He would join DK Metcalf and provide some needed punch to the offense.
22. L.A. Chargers: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
23. Philadelphia: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
24. Cleveland (via Jacksonville): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Comment: He would be Browns first receiver taken in first round since Corey Coleman in 2016.
25. Chicago: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
26. Buffalo: WR KC Concepcion, Texans A&M
27. San Francisco: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
28. Houston: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
29. L.A. Rams: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
30. Denver: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
31. New England: DE Zion Young, Missoouri
32. Seattle: WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame