A video of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing a fictional Cleveland Browns draft pick went viral during the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
In the clip, Goodell walked to the stage and declared: “With the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Connor Roarke, quarterback, Ohio State.” The camera then cut to someone waiting in the tunnel wearing a Browns hat.
The problem? There is no Connor Roarke at Ohio State. And the Browns didn’t hold the No. 1 pick.
The real first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft went to the Las Vegas Raiders, who selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Goodell’s Browns announcement came during a break on Day 2.
The crowd in Pittsburgh was told upfront that the moment was being filmed for an unidentified scripted production. They were still happy to boo Goodell loudly during the staged announcement.
What Is ‘The Land’ on Hulu?
All signs point to the clip being filmed for an upcoming Hulu series called “The Land.” It has been dubbed a fictional, multi-generational drama that follows a family that owns the Cleveland Browns.
Roarke, the announced pick, is expected to be portrayed by Australian actor Sam Corlett. The cast also includes Christopher Meloni, William H. Macy as the team owner, and Mandy Moore.
“It’s about a football team, nominally the Cleveland Browns. It’s called The Land because that’s what people from Cleveland call it. I play the owner of the team,” Macy said to Deadline. “They’re brilliant scripts. They’re Shakespearean. It’s about football, but, oh, my lord, the plots are so profound, and I’m having the time of my life.”
Browns Get Strong Grade for Draft Haul
The Browns did not get a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick but did come away with a nice haul of impact players from draft weekend. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Browns an “A” for their work during the draft.
“The Browns received an A-plus from me last year, and the class lived up to expectations. Carson Schwesinger was Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. were the main catalysts of the offense, but all seven picks chipped in at some point during Year 1,” Kiper said. “I don’t know that Cleveland’s 2026 group of draft picks will have the same impact, but this is another good group which should have Week 1 roles. Another good draft weekend for the Browns.”
The Browns traded down from No. 6 to No. 9 on Day 1, sending the pick to Kansas City and landing Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, who is projected to start at left tackle as a rookie.
With their second first-round pick at No. 24, the Browns added another weapon in Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. They continued to build out the offense on Day 2, landing Washington receiver Denzel Boston at No. 39 and trading up for Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 58.
Cleveland stayed active on Day 3, adding depth across the roster, including reinforcements along the offensive line and multiple tight end additions.
The Browns also took a late-round swing at quarterback, selecting Taylen Green as a developmental option to round out the room.
Browns Select Top Overall QB in Staged NFL Draft Clip