The Cleveland Browns have an updated list of team needs after the opening of free agency. New head coach Todd Monken and GM Andrew Berry have shifted their roster needs after a flurry of moves to rebuild the offensive line and add veteran depth on defense. With some of the questions answered pre-draft, there are still some obvious needs to look at. On offense, the quarterback room is unsettled, and the wide receiver room needs a true difference-maker. For the defense, finding a compliment to Myles Garrett and continuing to add talent to LB remains.
Let’s view the roster’s biggest needs as free agency slows and the draft approaches.
Updated Cleveland Browns Team Needs After Free Agency
Wide Receiver – Finding a True WR1
The Browns receiving group hovered around the bottom of the league for total yards last season. Obviously, inadequate quarterback play was a major factor. However, Jerry Jeudy cannot remain the Cleveland version of WR1 if they plan to develop a passer. Isaiah Bond flashed the ability to be a contributor, and the jury is still out on Cedric Tillman’s professional ceiling. Adding another veteran to the room would be a step in the right direction. But getting the future of the position locked down for multiple years could happen early in this draft.
Remaining FA Fits: Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, Keenan Allen, Hunter Renfrow, Tyler Lockett
Renfrow and Lockett would simply add a veteran presence that provides reliable underneath targets. Allen can be relied on as a dependable WR2. Deebo represents much needed play-making ability while Jennings and Diggs could be short-term upgrades over Jeudy.
Draft Targets (Days 1 and 2): Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC), Denzel Boston (Washington), Omar Cooper Jr (Indiana), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Skyler Bell (Connecticut), Chris Bell (Louisville)
Carnell Tate should absolutely be on the Browns’ radar for #6 overall. If they move down from that pick, then Lemon has to be in consideration. Boston, Cooper and Tyson should all be viewed as possibilities for #24 overall.
Quarterback – Any Solid Options?
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will open the year in competition for QB1. At this point, Cleveland truly doesn’t know what they have in either option. Dillon Gabriel should be considered a trade asset to be moved, opening the door for another passer to be rostered. With limited options this free agency cycle, the only path to add another passer comes through the draft.
Remaining FA Fits: Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers likely wouldn’t agree to a contract in orange and Brown. Kirk Cousins may be a possibility, but I don’t see him ending up in Cleveland either.
Draft Targets: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Drew Allar (Penn State), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Taylen Green (Arkansas)
Ty Simpson may be on the board at #24, but Cleveland would be better off waiting to see if he is still there at #39. Even in that scenario, simply waiting till the 3rd round before considering a player like Allar, or waiting till the 5th for a player like Aguilar is the safer bet.
Offensive Line – A Work in Progress
Berry moved aggressively to overhaul the unit that ranked near the bottom in pass protection last year. The team traded for Tytus Howard, signed Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, and re-signed Teven Jenkins. That leaves the possibility of a healthy Dawand Jones being the last remaining piece to a starting five up-front. But there’s a big difference between a starting five and a group that you can take into the future with a potential franchise quarterback. With most believing the Browns will target a passer early in 2027, building the OL in 2026 should be at the forefront of thinking.
Remaining FA Fits: Taylor Decker, Jonah Williams, Joseph Noteboom
What’s left of FA doesn’t solve the problem for the future but could provide much needed talent in the present.
Draft Targets (Days 1 and 2): Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State), Monroe Freeling (Georgia), Spencer Fano (Utah), Caleb Lomu (Utah), Max Iheanachor (Arizona State), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Blake Miller (Clemson). Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), Connor Lew (Auburn), Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech), Kage Casey (Boise State), Jalen Farmer (Kentucky), Jude Bowry (Boston College), Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M), Jeremiah Wright (Auburn), Beau Stephens (Iowa), Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Drew Shelton (Penn State)
If the Browns trade down from #6, add draft capital for both 2026 and 2027, then snag Ioane, that would be a big win. There’s an outside shot Mauigoa falls to #6, so he should be in consideration. However, the chances are high that Cleveland passed on the OL at the top of the draft. That makes #24 and #39 the more likely spots to address it. There’s a decent chance that one or two players slip down the board to still be available at the beginning of Day 2.
Defensive Front 7 – EDR, DL and LB Remain in Play
Myles Garrett remains the best pass rusher in football. The Browns added A.J. Epenesa for veteran depth to likely be a direct backup to Garret. However, Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire remain the primary options on the other end. Although Wright definitely made some strides in 2025, there is an obvious ceiling here.
For linebacker, the injury situation for Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah is creating a greater need. Carson Schwesinger had the kind of rookie season that instills long-term confidence. Quincy Williams is a solid free agent addition, so getting one more LB should be a priority.
At DT, Mason Graham is an obvious stud. But with Maliek Collins coming back from a season ending injury, there are questions to be answered. The Kalia Davis signing is quietly a solid move by the Browns this offseason. However, the Browns should have a focus on getting a potential game wrecker to pair next to Mason.
Remaining FA Fits: Joey Bosa, Kyle Van Noy, Yetur Gross-Matos, Germaine Pratt, Deion Jones, Greg Gaines
There’s not a ton left in FA to work with that would provide the type of return that may be had through the draft.
Draft Targets (Days 1 and 2): David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Zion Young (Missouri), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Caleb Banks (Florida), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Josiah Trotter (Missouri), Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State), Kyle Louis (Pitt), Christen Miller (Georgia)
Six overall will provide some tempting options. At #24, Keldric Faulk or Zion Young could present upgrades. For DT, outside of Day 1, the list gets short fast. At LB, getting Kyle Louis on Day 3 is a better bet than going earlier, but potentially passing up on Sonny Styles may be a tough pill to swallow.
The Last Word
Cleveland has made significant moves to the offensive line after suffering a mass exodus of starters. They will have the ability to strengthen that group further in the draft while adding weapons for the future. The defense will be a strength this season and they could continue to create a nightmare for opposing offenses with the options available in this draft class.
With two first-round picks and a stack of additional draft capital to go with them, the Browns have the opportunity to either add a bunch of talent in 2026 or make more moves to add high value picks in the 2027 draft.
Main Image: Grace Smith/IndyStar