The Cleveland Browns traded their first-round pick in 2025 and may be inclined to move out of their first first-day selection again this year.
The Browns are going to trade out of the No. 6 overall selection according to NFL executives quoted by longtime NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
The Browns, of course, have two first-round picks in this year’s draft after acquiring the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ selection while trading down last year. Jacksonville moved up to No. 2 and chose Travis Hunter.
So with a load of needs, especially on offense, and a draft full of talented but non-premium players, Cleveland could be inclined to trade out of No. 6 — and La Canfora said they could trade down twice.
Report: The Browns ‘Aren’t Making’ Pick No. 6
According to La Canfora, who cited multiple sources, Cleveland is going to stockpile assets and trade out of its first first-round selection.
“They are bailing out of [No.] 6,” one general manager told SportsBoom. “They aren’t making that pick.”
Most mock drafts have the Browns in the mix to select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, which could give quarterback Shedeur Sanders a valuable offensive weapon. It could also rile up the fan base, since many Browns fans rooted for Tate for the Buckeyes’ national-championship team in 2024.
But Andrew Berry isn’t likely to make that move.
“Trading down is a natural instinct for that group,” La Canfora cited a longtime exec of the Browns front office, “and this draft lends itself even more to that notion.”
The Ringer’s Todd McShay mocked the Browns trading out of No. 6 with the Dallas Cowboys to land No. 12, a third-round selection in the 2026 draft and a second rounder next year. He projected Cleveland to take Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 12th overall pick.
With the 2026 NFL Draft being deemed a fine if unspectacular draft, McShay’s synopsis lends itself to the Browns’ thinking.
“It’s just not a blue-chip heavy group,” La Canfora reported about the 2026 draft. “If the Browns are as motivated to rebuild their offensive line as some clubs think, then getting extra draft capital for next year while grabbing a tackle or guard in that [No.] 11-17 range would seem to make a lot of sense.”
The Browns May Make Multiple First-Round Trades
No mock drafters have projected the Browns to make multiple trades in the first round. In fact, only McShay’s, which was published a week ago, is reporting even one trade for the Browns on Thursday.
But if Cleveland is hellbent on stockpiling future picks, which La Canfora suggests it is, Berry and Co. may be inclined to trade down multiple times Thursday.
“It very well may be the strategy the Browns employ, which would be an extension of some overarching roster-construction philosophies,” La Canfora reported. “We could honestly see them moving down more than once.”
With multiple potential quarterbacks, including Arch Manning, plus a potential “generational” Ohio State wideout in Jeremiah Smith, the Browns could end up hauling in superstar-caliber players next year if they have multiple firsts next year.
Browns Predicted to Make Controversial Move With No. 6 Pick