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Browns urged to make surprising draft pick at 6th overall.
The Cleveland Browns have been widely expected to use the sixth overall pick on an offensive lineman.
However, following the Browns’ trading for Tytus Howard on Monday, one analyst urges them to take an offensive weapon. ESPN Cleveland analyst Aaron Goldhammer believes Cleveland should take Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love with the sixth overall pick.
“You guys are going to think I’m crazy, but I think the running back is the best player in the draft. I think Jeremiyah Love could be better than Nick Chubb,” Goldhammer said. “I am (telling the Browns to take Love at sixth overall). Cleveland doesn’t want a running back; he’s the best player in the draft.”
The Browns taking Love with the sixth overall pick would be a stunning move, especially after the team took Quinshon Judkins in the second round last year. Cleveland also took Dylan Sampson on Day 3. But Goldhammer believes Love is the best player available and would change the offense.
The Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks were able to have success with two star running backs. So, perhaps Cleveland tries to have both running backs on the field at once and involve them both in the passing game.
Love finished the year rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also adding 280 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns for a total of 1,652 yards.
Browns GM Have Confidence in Judkins
Cleveland selected Judkins in the second round and he took over as the team’s starting running back.
Judkins had plenty of success, but he had a season-ending injury. Since then, he’s been rehabbing it, and Browns general manager Andrew Berry gave a positive update on the star offensive weapon.
“He’s made really nice progress. He’s in the training room every day and out of the boot,” Berry said. “(Quinshon) actually started his pool running and everything like that, so he’s done a really nice job with his recovery.”
Judkins is expected to be fully healthy for Week 1 and will be a focal point of the Browns’ offense in 2026.
New Browns head coach Todd Monken also hired Travis Switzer as offensive coordinator, who he worked with in Baltimore, and is a key part of the run game.
“He was our run game coordinator, and that’s where it all starts with your ability to run the football. So, he’s ready for this challenge. He’s intentional, he’s intelligent, and he can teach.”
Judkins finished the year rushing for 827 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Cleveland Expected to Draft O-Line Help
The Browns have been linked to drafting an offensive tackle at sixth overall.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, several NFL execs spoke to The Athletic and made it clear that the team is expected to take the top tackle available.
“They need O-line bad,” one exec said to The Athletic.
“Whoever they see as the best tackle available,” this exec predicted.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando mocked them to select Spencer Fano out of Utah, which one exec doesn’t think should be a top-6 pick.
“No,” the exec said, “but I’ll stick one in there.”
Ultimately, it does seem unlikely that the Browns will use the sixth overall pick on Love.