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Fantasy Pros's Mike Fanelli predicted the Cleveland Browns to acquire a second first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select tackle Monroe Freeling.
With two top 25 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns will have an excellent opportunity to add to their young core of players. But one analyst sees the Browns improving their first-round draft position even further.
In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft this week, Fantasy Pros’s Mike Fanelli predicted the Browns to move up 11 spots from No. 24 overall through a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
Then at No. 13, Fanelli projected Cleveland to select Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling.
“After taking Carnell Tate with the sixth overall pick, the Browns work the phones trying to trade up for the top left tackle in the draft class,” Fanelli wrote. “Lucky for them, the Rams can’t pass up the chance to land two top 40 picks for the 13th overall selection.”
In the proposed trade, the Browns sent the No. 24, 39 and 107 overall picks to the Rams. In return, Cleveland received the No. 13 and 93 selections.
Freeling is widely regarded as one of the top tackles in the 2026 draft class. One of the biggest remaining holes on the Cleveland roster is at left tackle.
The Browns added veteran linemen Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard this offseason. But as of late March, Dawand Jones is still projected to start at left tackle for Cleveland.
Could Browns Trade Up in 2026 NFL Draft?
Cleveland moving up the first-round draft board could make a lot of sense this spring. The Browns have nine picks overall, including two in the first round and a top 40 selection in the second.
That could give them the freedom to make a trade up to fill a particular need.
After the Browns went elsewhere at No. 6 overall in Fanelli’s mock, that’s what the mock draft analyst saw Cleveland doing to add a left tackle.
With Fanelli’s trade proposal, the Browns would lose their second-round pick. But an underrated part of the hypothetical deal for Cleveland is gaining a third-rounder in exchange for a fourth (No. 93 versus No. 107 overall).
In conclusion, this trade idea would move the Browns up 11 spots in the first round and leave them with two third-rounders instead of second, third and fourth-round choices.
Why Cleveland Could Target Georgia’s Monroe Freeling
If the Browns are going to be aggressive and move up the board, it should be for a high-upside player.
Freeling doesn’t come without risk. His inconsistency and lack of college experience prevented him from landing at the top of every single draft expert’s list of 2026 left tackle prospects.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Freeling rated as the No. 2 offensive tackle in this year’s class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked the Georgia product this year’s No. 3 offensive tackle.
But Freeling’s upside makes him an intriguing top 15 target. He’s an ideal trade up target for a team looking to make a splash.
“Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle. With only one season as a full-time starter, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
“There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.”
Freeling appeared in 35 college games at Georgia. He started 21 of those contests.
At No. 6, Fanelli predicted the Browns to grab Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. So, with the trade up in Fanelli’s mock, Cleveland landed one of the top wideouts and tackle prospects in the 2026 draft.