There are so many scenarios available to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft that it is difficult to predict what they will actually do with it. They could take the obvious route and select a wide receiver or an offensive tackle, which is what many analysts believe are their most significant needs.
They could take a highly rated prospect at a different position, such as running back Jeremiyah Love. Or they could do what they did last year and trade down with a team that is coveting someone, as the Jacksonville Jaguars did with Travis Hunter, thereby adding more picks in the process.
Insider Tony Grossi recently said he believes the Browns’ “most likely” decision with the No. 6 pick is to trade down.
“The easiest answer [for the No. 6 pick] is trade back, trade down a little bit. Andrew Berry said at the owners’ meetings, ‘Right now, I don’t know if we’re going to use the No. 6 pick. If we had to, I don’t know who we’d take.’ To be honest, I believe him. That’s because there’s so many options there that could happen. So, I’d say trade down is most likely,” Grossi said.
What's the best bet on what the Browns will do at no. 6 overall RIGHT NOW?
"Trade back, trade down," – @TonyGrossi 👀
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— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 3, 2026
Grossi said the Browns’ decision early in the first round will depend on what the Arizona Cardinals do with the No. 3 overall pick. If the Cardinals select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, that would not only take him off the board for Cleveland, but it would also push another highly rated prospect one spot further down.
That could create an enticing scenario for a team to trade up to acquire a player they may not have expected to be there at No. 6, such as Love or edge rusher David Bailey. It would also then give the Browns a chance to not overspend draft capital on a position of need.
A rumored potential trade partner is the Dallas Cowboys, who may be looking to target Bailey in their quest for a pass rusher. Dallas has the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the first round, which could make a very attractive package for Cleveland.
That would give the Browns three first-round selections, as they also hold the No. 24 overall pick from last year’s trade with the Jaguars. Cleveland could then take a wide receiver and a tackle in the middle of the round, where the value may be more fitting.
A lot of what the Browns are able to do will depend on the picks made before them, but they should be prepared to capitalize on any opportunity that may arise.
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