Mock Draft 3.0 takes a more calculated approach to the first round, with Cleveland moving down early before trading back up to stay aggressive. The goal was to maximize value without losing the chance to land impact talent at the top of the board. Rather than forcing needs, this draft leans into letting the board come to them while still picking spots to be aggressive. It may not check every positional box, but it’s built around adding high-end players and setting up flexibility moving forward.
TRADE: The Cleveland Browns send the 6th pick to the Dallas Cowboys for Picks 12, 92, 112, and a 2027th first round pick (via Green Bay)
Round 1, Pick 12: Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State
In a perfect scenario, Downs unexpectedly falls right into Cleveland’s lap at 12, allowing them to trade back, stack premium assets, and still land one of the top players in the entire class. It’s the kind of draft night break every front office hopes for, and the Browns fully capitalize by adding an instinctive, versatile playmaker who can immediately elevate the defense.
TRADE: Tampa Bay trades Picks 15 and 155 to the Cleveland Browns for Picks 24, 70, 149
Round 1, Pick 15: Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, Utah
With Andrew Berry mentioning the possibility of Tytus Howard sliding over to left tackle, this move feels like a clear investment in the future of that position. Lomu brings the exact traits you look for in a long-term blindside protector. He has elite size and length, moves well for his frame, and shows strong footwork in pass protection. His ability to mirror edge rushers, combined with natural power at the point of attack, gives him a high ceiling as both a pass blocker and a run-game performer.
Round 2, Pick 39: Germie Bernard, Wide Receiver, Alabama.
Bernard brings an explosive element to the offense with his speed, fluid route running, and ability to create separation at all levels of the field. He’s a smooth athlete who can stretch defenses vertically but is just as effective working underneath, making him a reliable target in multiple situations. His versatility allows him to line up both outside and in the slot, giving the Browns flexibility in how they deploy him. This pick adds another dynamic weapon to the offense and continues the theme of this draft, adding high-upside playmakers who can grow into key roles moving forward.
Round 3, Pick 92: Ja’Kobi Lane, Wide Receiver, USC
Lane adds a different dimension to the receiver room with his size, length, and ability to win in contested catch situations. He’s a physical target who thrives on the outside, using his frame to box out defenders and make plays down the field. His catch radius makes him a reliable option in tight coverage, especially in the red zone. Pairing Lane with Germie Bernard gives Cleveland a nice blend of skill sets at the position, adding both separation and physicality to the offense while continuing to build a deeper, more versatile receiving corps.
Round 4, Pick 107: Michael Trigg, Tight End, Baylor
Trigg brings a dynamic, playmaking element to the position with his size, athleticism, and ability to create mismatches. He’s a fluid mover for his frame who can stretch the seam, win against linebackers and safeties, and be a factor after the catch. His versatility allows him to line up in multiple spots, giving the offense more flexibility in how they attack defenses. He’s the perfect complement to standout rookie tight end Harold Fannin, forming a duo that can stress defenses in different ways. Together, they give Cleveland a modern two-tight end look with real upside as both pass catchers and matchup problems.
Round 4, Pick 112: Brian Parker, Center, Duke
Parker is a smart, technically sound interior lineman who brings toughness and consistency to the middle of the offensive line. He plays with good leverage, shows strong awareness in pass protection, and has the ability to anchor against interior pressure. In the run game, he’s physical at the point of attack and works well in space, making him a reliable presence in multiple schemes. A former standout at St. Xavier in Cincinnati, Parker adds a local connection to this pick while giving Cleveland a high-floor option who can develop into a long-term piece along the interior offensive line.
Round 5, Pick 146: Harold Perkins, Linebacker, LSU
Perkins is an explosive, rangy defender who brings speed and playmaking ability to the second level of the defense. He excels in pursuit, shows great instincts flowing to the ball, and has the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways, whether that’s as a traditional linebacker, a blitzer, or in coverage. At this point in the draft, adding a player with Perkins’ athletic profile and upside is tremendous value. He gives Cleveland another fast, disruptive presence on defense and the kind of versatility that modern defenses covet.
Round 5, Pick 155: Nedame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Tucker is the kind of developmental edge prospect worth betting on in this range because the upside is easy to see. He brings intriguing burst off the line, length, and the athletic traits that give him real pass rush potential as he continues to develop. While he may still need refinement with his technique and consistency, the raw tools give Cleveland something to work with. This also fills a real need off the edge, especially after the deal for A.J. Epenesa fell through. Adding depth and young talent to that room becomes even more important, and Tucker gives the Browns a high-upside option they can develop into a rotational pass rusher with long-term potential.
Round 6, Pick 206: Andre Fuller, Cornerback, Toledo
Fuller brings solid length, competitiveness, and ball skills to the secondary, making him an intriguing late-round addition. He plays with good instincts in coverage, shows a willingness to be physical at the line, and can make plays on the football when given the opportunity. At this stage of the draft, it’s about finding depth and developmental upside, and Fuller fits that mold. He’ll have a chance to carve out a role on special teams early while developing into a potential rotational piece in the secondary.
Round 7, Pick 248: Sawyer Robertson, Quarterback, Baylor
Robertson is an intriguing late-round quarterback with good size, arm talent, and the ability to push the ball down the field. He throws with confidence, has enough mobility to extend plays when needed, and shows the kind of natural tools that make him worth developing at the next level. There is still polish needed in parts of his game, but the physical upside is there. I like this fit for Cleveland because he feels like a better option than Dillon Gabriel for the third quarterback spot. Robertson gives you more size and a stronger physical profile to work with, and at this stage of the draft, betting on those traits makes a lot of sense. As a QB3, the Browns would not need him to play right away, which makes this an ideal spot to bring in a developmental passer with tools worth investing in.
Overall, this mock draft is a strong example of Cleveland balancing aggression with long-term vision. The Browns trade down, add premium draft capital, and still come away with Caleb Downs unexpectedly falling into their lap at 12. From there, they stay aggressive by moving back up for Caleb Lomu, a player who could very well become the future at left tackle. That kind of first round gives this class both immediate star power and long-term value.
Beyond the early moves, the Browns continue to build out the roster with a clear plan. Germie Bernard and Ja’Kobi Lane bring two different skill sets to the receiver room, Michael Trigg adds another weapon at tight end alongside Harold Fannin, and Brian Parker gives the interior offensive line more stability with a local connection. Defensively, Harold Perkins, Nedame Tucker, and Andre Fuller all bring upside at positions where depth and development matter, while Sawyer Robertson is a worthwhile late swing at quarterback with traits that make sense for a third roster spot.
It may not be a perfect draft if you are strictly going by positional need from top to bottom, but that is not always what makes a class successful. This one is built on value, upside, and understanding when to be patient versus when to be aggressive. If the board were to fall this way, it would be hard not to come away feeling like the Browns made the most of every major opportunity put in front of them.