Dawgs By Nature
For the Cleveland Browns, the head coaching search is the clear and present issue that needs to be resolved, but the 2026 NFL draft could decide as much or more about the team’s future. While a Browns legend weighs in on potential coach options and a few blasts from the past are interview candidates, the NFL playoffs show us how important first-round quarterbacks can be.
Two games during Wild Card weekend of the NFL playoffs were set to impact Cleveland’s 2026 NFL draft order. The Browns needed the Jacksonville Jaguars to lose as soon as possible to lock in where the pick they acquired in the Travis Hunter trade would fall.
With the Jaguars falling to the Buffalo Bills in an exciting postseason matchup, Cleveland’s attention and rooting interest is for the New England Patriots to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
As of now, the Browns will be picking sixth overall with their pick and either 23rd (if the Patriots lose) or 24th (if the Patriots win) with Jacksonville’s first-round pick.
2026 NFL draft order – Top 24 projection
As of now, only the first 20 picks are locked into place. The Browns two first-round picks will be in place after Sunday Night Football. By the end of Monday Night Football, we will have the first 24 spots in the 2026 NFL draft order locked up.
