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How To Turnaround The Cleveland Browns For 2026

Rather than look ahead to the 2026 free agency class, guess who makes it I have decided to look back at the 2025 class to give what is realistic in terms of names and costs. I have excluded everyone who remained with their current team too. I am only focused on the starters to fix the offensive side rather than what a depth running back could look like.

Wide Receiver

Stefon Diggs - $21m APY

Joshua Palmer - $10m APY

Dyami Brown - $10m APY

Brandin Cooks -$6.5m APY

DeAndre Hopkins - $5m APY

Mack Hollins - $4m APY

Marquez Valdes-Scantling - $4m APY

Keenan Allen - $3m APY

Mike Williams - $3m APY

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine - $3m APY

Elijah Moore - $2.5m APY

From this list it is clear the draft will be a very important focus for fixing the wide receiver room. It is a failing of multiple regimes that Corey Coleman remains the only wide receiver pick in the first two rounds over many years.

Tight End

Evan Engram - $11.5m APY

Tyler Conklin - $3m APY

The vast majority appear to be retained by their teams. This is why I think they try to extend David Njoku if they want to focus on a two tight end scheme. Maybe it is just a short term plan due to a lack of wide receiver talent for 2025 but I have a feeling it could be the focus for 2026 and beyond.

Offensive Tackle

Dan Moore Jr. - $20m APY

Jaylon Moore - $15m APY

Cam Robinson - $12m APY

Morgan Moses - $8m APY

Cornelius Lucas - $3m APY

D.J. Humphries - $2.5m APY

Trent Brown - $2.5m APY

Larry Borom - $2.5m APY

If Cam Robinson can develop into league average play then a one year extension while they attempt to draft a replacement for the long term could be the ideal route. He will need to improve in the second half of the season though.

Guard

Aaron Banks - $19m APY

Will Fries - $17.5m APY

Patrick Mekari - $12.5m APY

Mekhi Becton - $10m APY

Kevin Zeitler - $9m APY

James Daniels - $8m APY

Laken Tomlinson - $4m APY

Robert Jones - $4m APY

Teven Jenkins - $3m APY

While the prices have risen over the last couple of seasons the guard position continues to be the market with the most free agent options along the offensive line. If Bitonio wants to play longer then he will be the easiest extension for the team as he is still playing at a high level.

Center

Drew Dalman - $14m APY

Ryan Kelly - $9m APY

Robert Hainsey - $7m APY

Coleman Shelton - $6m APY

If they don't think Pocic or Wypler are the answer then turning to free agency is an option for 2026 as they need instant production.

There is certainly going to be talent there for the Cleveland Browns to ruthlessly target in free agency to rebuild this offensive line. The rest of the offense needs to be a draft focus with a potential Njoku extension.

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