Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry faces a tough task in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The club still needs a starting-caliber left tackle, a wide receiver who can catch the ball and do something with it, and if it’s not too much trouble, a true NFL starting quarterback.
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Those are just the top needs that should be taken care of in the first round outside of quarterback, and Cleveland currently has two options.
But the rest of the roster needs to be addressed, and Berry needs to make the most of Day 2 of the draft when the Browns are on the board in the second round (No. 39 overall) and third round (No. 70 overall).
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the Browns handle their second-round pick in some national mock drafts.
SB Nation’s Doug Farrar: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
(Head coach Todd) Monken supports an open competition for the job, and you know how it goes — a new head coach is going to want at least a quarterback he likes, not a quarterback he might inherit. Monken is also willing to bring in an outsider to compete for representation, which is where someone like Alabama’s Ty Simpson could come in.
Because on the surface, Simpson seems to have it all, especially for someone who’s only been in college for one year. In 2025, the 6-foot-1 â…›-inch, 211-pound Simpson completed 306 of 474 passes for the Crimson Tide for 3,561 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 102.5 passer rating. He also ran the ball 70 times for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 26 of 62 passes. Last season he threw for 20 or more yards for 784 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions and a passer rating of 101.2. Under pressure, he completed 58 of 111 passes for 703 yards, four touchdowns, one interception and a 75.0 passer rating. Now, in blitzes, Simpson is having a blast — 1,409 completions on 208 passes, 121 completions. Yards, 13 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and a 95.6 passer rating, he also adds an offensive utility to the runner in both designed runs and rushes, and he’s also very good out of the pocket.
I recently made a longer video expressing my concerns about Simpson’s NFL future, but I also don’t think anything he needs to do is unmanageable — they just need more guidance. This is what Monken can definitely do.
PFF’s Gordon McGuinness: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
McGuinness didn’t summarize why the Browns should draft Young, so let’s turn to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein for an overview of the 6-foot-6, 262-pound Young, who compared Young to former Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith:
A long, well-built edge rusher whose size, power and temperament are designed for the next level of trench warfare. Young is a fiery alpha who brings tremendous energy to the court and locker room. His specialty is using base power and aggression to disrupt his opponents. He will stretch and lock as a forward and break away when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the ability to rush or drive off the edge, but lacks instinct and versatility in his rushing approach. Without better go-to moves and counters, his pressure output in the NFL will fall behind. Young’s physicality and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run upgrade on a regular rush.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Chase Bisontis, guard, Texas A&M
Again, Edwards didn’t offer any reasoning for the selection, so let’s see what CBS had to say about Bisontis:
Chase Bisontis is a strong, versatile and reliable starter who has over 1,950 snaps in three seasons at guard and center. He is arguably the most consistent player on the Aggies’ offensive line and has the ability to thrive in zone and in the slot. Bisentis showed quick, active feet, cutting off defenders in the backfield and making his way to the second level. He has great finishing ability and great functional strength. Bisentis is still a young prospect who has the ability to develop into a starter at center or guard, and that versatility could help him establish himself in the league long-term. One issue worth paying attention to: He has taken 16 penalties in the past two seasons.
A to Z Sports Brandon Little: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
I often come back to Pounds as the Browns’ pick in a best-player situation. Ponds’ length may ultimately limit his position, which is good because it’s an increasingly important position in the NFL. The Browns adding a potentially elite nickel back to an already great defense will only take the team to the next level.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Reuters didn’t provide a reason, but here’s Lance Zierlein’s draft profile of the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Terrell on NFL.com:
Avieon Terrell shares the same pedigree and coverage temperament as his brother AJ, the 2020 first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons. Avieon Terrell is an athletic, fluid mover with clean transitions and enough quickness to stay in sync on most vertical routes. He is most effective in news reporting, where he maintains a tight schedule and discipline while covering news stories, maintaining a congested line. He’s been a 50/50 give-and-take to bigger targets at times, but he has good skills at all three levels and is a consistent catch-catcher. He can play wide or inside and is willing to provide run support, but he lacks ideal size. Terrell emerged as an early starter due to his versatility with his ball skills, ball skills and coverage.
Browns fans, what do you think? Would you like to see the Browns select any of these players in the second round? Or would you go in a different direction? Share your thoughts in the comments.