Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns’ 2 first-round picks in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns were likely thinking the other first-round pick would be higher up the board.

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When they got it from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Travis Hunter trade, it seemed like it had the potential to be a top-10 choice. Then, the Jags had a hugely successful season.

That means that now, in addition to their own No. 6 pick, the Browns’ have the Jags’ pick at No. 24.

That still can be plenty useful, though.

In a new mock draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. unveiled on Tuesday, he lays out how the Browns can use their two choices.

MORE: Why the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Justin Fields

Mel Kiper Jr. on Browns’ No. 6 pick

Kiper has them start with an offensive lineman.

The Browns in this mock take Monroe Freeling, a tackle from Georgia, as the first O-lineman off the board.

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“The Browns are hitting the reset button on their offensive line,” Kiper writes. “First, they traded for Tytus Howard. Then they signed Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, and re-signed Teven Jenkins on the interior. Toss in getting Dawand Jones back from a season-ending knee injury, and this is a completely different unit from what we saw late in 2025. Freeling could be the final piece of the puzzle. His decision to declare for this class was originally a little bit of a surprise, considering he had 18 college starts. But I see franchise left tackle traits; he’s quick and alert in pass pro, using his long 34¾-inch arms to his advantage.”

If Freeling is indeed a franchise left tackle, this pick is a win.

Mel Kiper Jr. on Browns’ No. 24 pick

Kiper has the Browns stick offense here and go with USC WR Makai Lemon.

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“I’m a huge fan of Lemon, and he could go earlier than 24th,” Kiper writes. “The board just sort of fell this way in this mock draft. Cleveland wouldn’t be complaining, though. It currently has Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond atop its depth chart — meaning no real changes to a wide receivers room that had a league-low 1,467 yards last season. Lemon nearly met that himself with 1,156 receiving yards over 12 games at USC. He has a slot receiver’s build at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, but he plays as if he’s much bigger, with a fierce approach to the game. Coupled with Monroe Freeling at No. 6, this would be a good first round for the Browns.”

As Kiper writes, this would be a bit of a steal if Lemon makes it all the way to the 24th pick. The Browns would want to pounce if that happens.

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