The end of the NFL season is near. That means Mock Draft season is starting to heat up.
If the season were to end today, the Cleveland Browns would have the no. 3 and the No. 28 picks in the first round. An earlier attempt at one was done here.
And all picks are made by me using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.
So, here’s my take on a mock draft, and here’s who I have the Browns selecting.
Cleveland Browns Mock Draft, Dec. 27, 2025 Update
Round 1, Pick 3: Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State
And right off the bat, let’s tap into an in-state school connection. Caleb Downs has emerged as one of, if not the best, safety in college football since joining the Buckeyes. And with an aging secondary that has become a major question mark over the past couple of seasons, Downs is an immediate plug-and-play option for versatility and explosiveness possibilities.
Round 1, Pick 28: Brandon Cisse, Cornerback, South Carolina
Let’s stay in the defensive secondary with the second choice of round one. And take a look at Brandon Cisse from South Carolina. At 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, he’s a wiry corner with great agility and playmaking abilities. The junior from Sumter, SC, posted 27 tackles (1.5 for loss), a forced fumble, an interception, and five pass breakups in 2025.
Round 2, Pick 38: Austin Siereveld, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
What’s not to like about two Buckeyes in three picks? And what’s not to like about Austin Siereveld? A 6-5, 325-pound kid who wins quickly on the line and has a great release that helps him seal the edge against the rush.
Mock Draft Round 3, Pick 69: Skyler Bell, Wide Receiver, Connecticut
A late bloomer after transferring from Wisconsin, Skyler Bell, in his two years at Connecticut, tallied 2,138 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, he might not have the biggest of frames at that position, but his ability to develop confidence off an NFL route tree is already exciting to watch.
Round 4, Pick 104: Keylan Rutledge, Guard, Georgia Tech
With serious questions developing around whether Joel Bitonio is retiring and Wyatt Teller’s health, the Browns need help on the offensive line. Enter Keylan Rutledge, a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket guard. A first-team all-ACC and all-American selection in 2024, Rutledge had a very impressive senior year, not allowing a sack in 801 snaps, and being a part of a line that contributed to a top-15 total offense. (Georgia Tech was no. 12, averaging 466.3 yards per game.)
Round 5, Pick 142: Austin Barber, Offensive Tackle, Florida
For the first of back-to-back picks in round 5, let’s start with someone who can play almost anywhere on the offensive line. Austin Barber has career starts at Florida at both tackle positions, and has the physical traits to play on the interior, too. He’s also surprisingly agile for his frame (6-5, 314). If he wants to continue to prove his worth, his raw power is in need of development.
Mock Draft Round 5, Pick 143: CJ Daniels, Wide Receiver, Miami (Florida)
Now, for the second of back-to-back picks, how about someone who fits the mold of a previous choice? To me, Miami’s CJ Daniels almost reminds me of a former Cleveland draft pick. That pick in question? 2020’s Donovan Peoples-Jones. A speed threat with a large catch radius and explosive field-stretching abilities. He’s also got a pretty sturdy frame for his position (6-2, 205). It is exciting to see what he can produce in the future.
Round 5, Pick 149: Logan Jones, Center, Iowa
If this doesn’t fall under the definition of stud, I don’t know what will. Enter Logan Jones. A two-time winner of the Rimington Trophy. The best collegiate center in D-I football. A true stud in the interior in every sense of the word.
Round 6, Pick 199: Michael Taaffe, Safety, Texas
Another wiry safety comes to the Browns in round six. Michael Taaffe, a fifth-year man, has an almost similar build to the round one choice, Brandon Cisse. He’s got good play recognition instincts and is a physical player, to boot. Finishing tackles on the second level is a question mark.
Mock Draft Round 6, Pick 207: Derrick Moore, Edge Rusher, Michigan
I know, boo on me for picking someone from Michigan. But Derrick Moore has some serious intrigue. He can pair well with Myles Garrett, and he also had a breakout senior campaign in 2025. 10 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles (one recovered), and three pass deflections.
Round 7, Pick 245: DeMonte Capehart, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
An immediate boost in the run-stop game, finishing with DeMonte Capehart. He knows how to control blocks. He could be a sneaky, solid seventh-round pick.
And that is the current edition done. More to be done as we draw closer to the NFL Draft.
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