Speaking to the press, Monken said he is aware of the team’s reputation and knows how to change it. “Winning. It changes everything,” Monken said. “I told the coaches that the other day, right? How does a player stop the narrative? Play well. How do we stop the narrative on offense? Score. How do you stop the narrative of winning? Win. It’s pretty freaking simple.”

Monken is trying to do the impossible with the Browns. No coach since Marty Schottenheimer has ended his Browns tenure with a winning record. And that happened in 1988. It’s been a long time since winning days have been a part of the Browns.

However, it all starts with the QB

Winning in the NFL is very hard. Winning without a franchise quarterback is next to impossible. Shedeur Sanders showed glimpses of talent during his rookie year, but he didn’t show a finished product yet.

As for Deshaun Watson, he was a top five QB in the NFL… back in 2018. The 2020s have not seen a good version of Watson, who has struggled with serious injuries and off-field issues that really hampered what was a very promising career.

The Browns still have a unit to rely on

The Browns might have not many things to brag about on offense, but it does have an elite defensive unit with one of the most unstoppable forces in the NFL, Myles Garrett. With them, the fact is that the offense has to be merely decent-to-good, not even elite.

It was reported that the Browns joined the Giants in the Concepcion sweepstakes. Now, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Concepcion is visiting the Bills, who are in desperate need to fill the roster with weapons for Josh Allen.

The Bills have previously been intrigued by Concepcion, but then the rumors watered down after trading for DJ Moore. However, it seems the interested has reignited. Concepcion would be a great fit for the Bills.

KC Concepcion’s fit with the Bills

To the dismay of the Browns and the Giants, Concepcion is a great fit to be Josh Allen’s teammate. The reason? Concepcion is a dynamic playmaker and a yards-after-catch machine. He is also a versatile wideout that can line up in the slot or elsewhere.

Concepcion also knows how to create separation, something Josh Allen would definitely welcome, as he needs weapons that can provide him wide looks. Being open goes a long way. Plus, he is from Rochester, New York, which is just 60 miles away from Buffalo.

Concepcion’s draft projection competes with plenty of others

KC Concepcion is projected to go in the late-first-to-early-second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This puts him in competition with other great wideouts like Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, and Omar Cooper Jr. Teams have plenty of ways to go. They are all below Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon.

Tyson Campbell played 12 games for the Browns last season, but then also played five games for the Jaguars. Hence, he knew Jim Schwartz, but now that he is back with the Browns, he’s been impressed by Mike Rutenberg.

“Rudy, off rip, he brings a lot of energy, a lot of passion. And that’s what you want out of a D-coordinator, a guy that brings a lot of energy and passion to the group and all about team camaraderie,” Campbell said to Cleveland.com.

How is the QB battle going?

Sanders is the frontrunner to be quarterback to some reports. However, it’s also been speculated that Deshaun Watson should be the man that earns the starting spot. However, Watson hasn’t played in quite some while due to serious injuries to his knee and Achilles.

Having said that, Shedeur Sanders wasn’t incredible during his rookie year to just grant him the QB1. However, he showed glimpses and the ability to create big plays. Hence, that’s the focus of the team right now. Thankfully, the defense is apparently not an issue.

The Browns defense is the unit the teams rely on

Campbell, Denzel Ward, and Grant Delpit are in charge of the secondary. Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, and newly-arrived Quincy Williams will take the load in the trenches.

With that, they just need a half-decent offense to win football games. Whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders are capable to be the ones to make this unit competent remains to be seen. Still, those are the Browns’ hopes.

For a player with the experience of Myles Garrett, attending offseason workouts is not mandatory. However, with a $1 million bonus on the line, most veteran players would think twice about skipping them.

Nevertheless, Garrett has decided to forfeit the bonus and not attend the workouts, per NBC Sports. This has ignited rumors about a potential trade, although several reports have said he is “100%” staying in Cleveland.

Myles Garrett trade rumors: Is the pass rusher leaving the Browns?

A year ago, Myles Garrett signed a lucrative four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns. At the time, it seemed like his primary focus was financial security, but the situation appears to have changed.

Garrett once stated that his goal was to compete for a Super Bowl, and the Browns are currently far from being considered contenders. By forfeiting such a significant bonus, he may now be signaling that a trade is the best path for him to pursue a championship ring.

If Garrett requests a trade, he will undoubtedly have several teams interested in his services. However, the substantial contract he carries may be an issue, meaning a renegotiation might be the only way for him to leave Cleveland. As of today, he remains with the team, but whether this is the best move for his career remains to be seen.

Love’s versatility and explosive playmaking ability make him a potential cornerstone for any offense. Teams picking after the top five will be watching closely, knowing that missing out on a player of his caliber could leave a lasting gap. The Browns, who hold the No. 6 pick, could benefit significantly if Love slides past the Titans and Giants.

According a report from Field Yates, the Browns could make a trade if Love is still available. “I think the Browns are rooting for this most clearly, Jeremiyah Love to not go to the Titans or the Giants.” In this scenario, the Kansas City Chiefs or the Cowboys could be options.

Who will draft Jeremiyah Love?

If Jeremiyah Love is still available at No. 6, the Browns could receive a massive offer from a team eager to secure him. The Kansas City Chiefs, who hold the No. 9 and No. 29 picks in the first round, are among the franchises that could be willing to trade up. Another potential surprise could be the Dallas Cowboys, who also have two first-round selections and may see Love as a perfect fit for their offense.

Trading back would allow the Browns to acquire extra draft capital while still potentially landing a high-impact player later in the first round. This strategy could set the team up for multiple key additions in the 2026 NFL Draft, addressing several roster needs at once.

Ultimately, Jeremiyah Love represents both talent and leverage. Whether the Browns select him directly or uses his draft stock to gain more picks, Love’s presence in the draft could shape Cleveland’s offseason strategy and future success for years to come.

As Tom Pelissero reported, KC Concepcion has visited the Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Concepcion continues to be one of the main names in the upcoming class, and one that has had several teams circling around him. Despite the injury concerns around him, the wide receiver out of Texas A&M is seen by many organizations as a suitable weapon for their systems.

The Giants hosted Concepcion in a visit earlier this year. New York showed interest in him despite the fact Concepcion was intervened for an arthroscopic surgery on his knee by Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ team doctor.

Browns could use Concepcion as they figure out QB1 battle

Cleveland will be doomed as long as it doesn’t find its starting quarterback for the season—and preferably for the long run. Still, the Browns must stay busy in the meantime, as Todd Monken evaluates who gets the nod under center between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. That decision will likely be made in training camp. Thus, the Browns may already have Concepcion on the roster by then—that is, of course, if they select him in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Whether it’s Sanders or Watson who’s throwing the pigskin at Huntington Bank Field, they could definitely use Concepcion’s athleticism, which led the Aggies with 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Transferring from NC State to Texas A&M and putting up such numbers in his first year in College Station, Concepcion proved he doesn’t need much time to adapt to new environments.

Indeed, the NFL is a different monster, but the outlook is promising for the Browns, who could benefit from a fast-learning, immediate-impact rookie. Plus, as Monken takes over after Kevin Stefanski’s firing, the entire team will be learning a new system, so it’s not like any player is starting off with a head start.

What makes them particularly intriguing this year is the sheer structure of their picks. Cleveland owns 9 total selections, highlighted by two first-round picks at No. 6 and No. 24 overall, the latter acquired in a previous trade with Jacksonville.

That dual presence on Day 1 instantly places them among the most influential teams in the opening round, with the ability to target cornerstone players on both sides of the ball or package assets for a blockbuster move.

Which picks do the Browns have in the 2026 NFL Draft?

• Round 1: No. 6, No. 24 (from Jaguars)
• Round 2: No. 39
• Round 3: No. 70
• Round 4: No. 107
• Round 5: No. 146
• Round 5: No. 149 (via Bengals)
• Round 6: No. 206 (via Bears)
• Round 7: No. 248 (via Seahawks)

Cleveland’s draft capital blends high-end assets and mid-round depth, a combination that gives general manager Andrew Berry significant flexibility. Whether the strategy is to target elite talent early or build depth across multiple positions, they are positioned to be one of the most active teams in the draft.

Why do the Browns have two first-round picks in 2026?

The Browns have two first-round picks in 2026 because they acquired an extra selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 2025 draft-day trade. The deal traces back to the 2025 NFL Draft, when they traded down from the No. 2 overall pick.

In that move, they sent their top selection (along with additional mid-round picks) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for multiple assets—including a future 2026 first-round pick.

That trade allowed Jacksonville to move up and select a premier prospect (Travis Hunter), while Cleveland prioritized long-term draft capital over a single high pick.

This kind of strategy reflects a broader front-office philosophy under general manager Andrew Berry: accumulate assets, stay flexible and create multiple pathways to build the roster.

Instead of committing to one player at No. 2 in 2025, Cleveland effectively turned that opportunity into two first-rounders across consecutive drafts, a move that continues to pay off heading into 2026.

Could the Browns trade their 2026 draft picks?

The Cleveland Browns can trade their 2026 draft picks, and current reports strongly suggest they are open to doing so. Under NFL rules, teams are allowed to trade draft picks up to three years into the future, which includes all selections.

They have consistently embraced a flexible, trade-heavy strategy, prioritizing value and long-term assets over staying locked into one draft slot. That philosophy is already visible in how they acquired their extra first-round pick.

Leading up to the draft, Berry has openly indicated that the team is willing to move off the No. 6 overall pick if the right offer comes along. With two first-round selections (No. 6 and No. 24), Cleveland is in a rare position to:

• Trade up for a quarterback (unlikely) or elite prospect
• Trade down to accumulate additional picks
• Package selections to acquire proven veterans

League-wide projections and mock drafts reinforce that idea. The Browns have already been identified as a team likely to actively explore trades in the first round, either moving up for a top target or sliding back to maximize value.

“If we leave this first round…yeah, with If I were to tell you, ‘Hey, Dave, Yeah. You’re the Cleveland Browns. You’re going to leave with Carnell Tate and Kadyn Proctor,’” Carr said on his podcast, Home Grown with David & Derek Carr.

“Would you not sign up for that if you’re a Cleveland Browns fan? Shedeur is excited. Especially. Let’s not forget about Deshaun. Yeah. We got Deshaun’s there, too. Lot of quarterbacks, so we’re good. We got we got enough talent in that room to win football. But I guess what? If we aren’t upright, it don’t matter.”

Protect the quarterback

Securing the No. 6 overall pick provides a prime opportunity to bolster the offensive line and ensure better protection for the quarterback, especially after a season plagued by sacks and pressure. By selecting an elite tackle, the front office can solidify the pocket and provide the necessary security for whoever is under center to operate efficiently.

Two standout collegiate prospects who could be available at that spot are Francis Mauigoa from Miami and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling.

Plenty for Shedeur to improve

Shedeur Sanders had a rollercoaster rookie season with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In 8 games (7 starts), he threw for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 56.6% completion rate, adding one rushing score and 169 yards on the ground.

While he flashed potential—highlighted by a 364-yard game against the Titans and a surprising Pro Bowl nod—his development moving forward will depend on improving his decision-making under pressure and reducing his league-high average time-to-throw.

To take the next step in 2026, Shedeur must focus on quicker processing and avoiding unnecessary sacks to become a more consistent and efficient starter in the NFL.

Will Deshaun Watson play in 2026?

Deshaun Watson is expected to play in 2026 as he enters the final year of his guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns. After missing the entire 2025 season due to a re-ruptured Achilles, Watson is reportedly back in “great shape” and will participate in the team’s offseason program.

Major decisions for the Browns

With Todd Monken at the helm, fans in the Browns’ Dawg Pound are eagerly awaiting the upcoming NFL Draft. Will they follow Derek Carr’s request to avoid selecting a quarterback, or will they instead look to strengthen that position on the roster? Here are the picks they will have at their disposal:

• Round 1 – Pick 6
• Round 1 – Pick 24 (via Jaguars)
• Round 2 – Pick 39
• Round 3 – Pick 70
• Round 4 – Pick 107
• Round 5 – Pick 146
• Round 5 – Pick 149 (via Bengals)
• Round 6 – Pick 206 (via Bears)
• Round 7 – Pick 248 (via Seahawks)

In Pro Football Talk, Haslam said Watson has a “great chance” and a “fresh start” with first-year coach Todd Monken. “Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said.

“So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the least he has in several years. He’s in great shape, he’ll be in Cleveland on April 7 when we start the offseason workout program. Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”

Sanders and Gabriel are the other in-house options for the Browns right now, although General Manager Andrew Berry suggested that group will grow when he spoke to reporters over the weekend. The direction the Browns take with any outside move will likely determine how strong Watson’s chances are to win the job.

How Watson arrives to the Browns

Haslam’s comments last year came after Watson’s season-ending Achilles tear in October 2024, which marked the second consecutive season in which he suffered a season-ending injury, following shoulder surgery in November 2023.

Watson missed the entire 2025 season after retearing his Achilles and undergoing a second surgery in January 2025. The 30-year-old is now healthy and expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for the starting quarterback role, and based on Haslam’s comments, he appears to have an early edge.

Suspensions and injuries have limited Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, to just 19 games since the Browns traded three first-round picks and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in March 2022.

Since joining Cleveland, his 33.1 Total QBR has ranked last among qualifying passers. The Browns will pay Watson a $46 million salary in 2026, and they recently restructured his contract to reduce what had been an NFL-high $80.7 million cap hit for the upcoming season.

“If we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a contract adjustment,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said about the trade rumors, via ESPN. “So it doesn’t have anything to do with that.“

A report from USA Today’s Giants Wire had named New York as a potential landing spot for Garrett. If Berry was completely honest in his statement, that may no longer be an option as Garrett would be staying in The Land, rather than leaving for The City—or anywhere else in the NFL for that matter.

What it means for the NY Giants

In the NFL, there’s always room to grow. For a team like the Giants, that has missed the playoffs in 8 of their last 10 seasons, that’s definitely the case. However, if there’s one area of the field the G-Men may be set at, it’s the defensive line.

Adding Garrett to the star-studded pass-rushing and run-stopping crew would be huge, but it may also be an unnecessary investment—especially considering there are several areas that need addressing, and the D-line isn’t one of them. The Giants should be fine with what they already have in place in East Rutherford.

NY Giants’ depth on D-line

With or without Garrett, New York already boasts one of the top defensive lines in the NFL. With the likes of Dexter Lawrence and Roy Robertson-Harris at the nose position, and Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns rushing off the edge, Big Blue features a virtually impossible-to-contain pass rush when fully healthy.

If the Giants wanted to keep adding to their collection of elite pass rushers, they could try their luck and hope one of the top prospects—Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, or David Bailey—lands in their lap.

NY Giants face big Draft Day decision

Again, it might be an unnecessary investment, but it’d be a much cheaper option than trading for Garrett. The latter, however, removes any suspense, concern, or fear about his production. New York would know what it’d be paying for, which simply isn’t the case with rookies out of college.

Regardless, it seems the Giants will go a different route with their first-round pick (No. 5 overall). Reports suggest the G-Men are after running back Jeremiyah Love, or possibly a defensive player—but not an EDGE or defensive end.

Last year, the Browns utilized a revolving door at quarterback, starting Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. However, Sanders eventually claimed the job and maintained it through the end of the schedule.

The dynamic has shifted this offseason. Todd Monken has replaced Kevin Stefanski as head coach, and while Monken has praised Sanders, he has made it clear that he is open to a direct competition between the young star and Watson.

According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Browns intend to let Sanders and Watson battle for the QB1 spot. While Dillon Gabriel is technically in the mix, the first two are considered the primary frontrunners.

Is a trade on the horizon?

The Browns currently carry three quarterbacks on the roster. While they could theoretically keep all of them, a trade remains a distinct possibility as the team looks to streamline the depth chart.

Monken recently revealed that he wanted to draft Sanders for the Ravens during his time as their offensive coordinator. Those comments have led many to believe the second-year quarterback is the head coach’s preferred choice for the job.

The real battle may actually be for the backup role. Dillon Gabriel put up solid numbers as a starter in 2025, but a concussion sidelined him, allowing Sanders to seize the opportunity and secure the starting role.

Watson remains the biggest wild card. The veteran has not played a snap since October 20, 2024. While the coaching staff respects his experience, his long period of inactivity raises significant concerns about his ability to lead a modern NFL offense.

The offense requires more weapons

Regardless of who wins the starting job for the 2026 season, the Cleveland offense desperately needs more playmakers. The Browns are reportedly prioritizing the 2026 NFL Draft to address these needs, and they possess the capital to do it.

As of today, the Browns hold two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24 overall). With eight additional picks in the later rounds, the front office has the flexibility to either flood the roster with young talent or move up to snag elite prospects.