Month: May 2026

If you read my last blog, I guessed at a way too early 53-man roster. While the talent on the 2026 Browns roster has improved, there’s still some work to be done. In 2025, Cleveland played the most rookie players in the league. That’s great for future development, but to succeed in this league you need veteran players. There are a view position groups that could use a free agent signing, defensive end, tight end, running back, safety and cornerback. All these groups are important, but one stands out, defensive end. In the off-season the Browns attempted to add veteran A J Epenesa, however he the signing fell through because Epenesa failed his physical. Currently the Browns defensive end position group consists of Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire and three promising UDFA, Logan Fano, Khordae Sydnor and Tyreak Sapp. Fano and Sydnor have guaranteed money in their contracts, so they’ll at least make the practice squad. But the room still needs a veteran. Here are some options.

Forget about Joey Bosa and Cameron Jordan, they’re more than likely going to a contender. Jihad Ward, Titans, Preston Smith, Commanders, Denico Autry, Texans, Kyle Van Noy, Ravens, Leonard Floyd, Falcons and Hassan Riddick, Buccaneers could help the Browns pass rush. Ward is 32 years old who had over a ten percent pressure rate last year. Smith’s last two years haven’t quite as good as his previous years but still would be an excellent rotational player. Autry is also an older player but is very consistent week to week, which is what you need in a rotational player. Van Noy has been a thorn is the Browns side for years. Last year was a down year for him, but he’s still one of the best pure pass rushers still on the market. Floyd provides pressure every passing down. Riddick is another pressure monster, who could add value to the room.

Van Noy, Floyd and Riddick are lighter than the Browns usually like their defensive ends to be because of the importance of playing the run. Epenesa could provide nice pressure, play the run and was very good on special teams. As I wrote in my last blog, the Browns would have to keep five defensive ends, with one of them being a UDFA, most likely Fano for special teams play. If I had my choice, I would go after Ward. He looks like he would be a good one-year option. Stay safe and Go Browns.

When Browns owner Jimmy Haslam fired Kevin Stefanski, he was asked what his expectations were for the upcoming season. Haslam said to give the team 120 days and then we’ll know. Well, it’s been over 120 days, and, in my opinion, it’s been a very successful offseason. Since news is slow, I thought I’d do a way too early roster prediction.

Quarterbacks (3). Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Taylen Green.

Running Backs (3). Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Michael Burton.

Wide Receivers (6). Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley, Cedric Tillman.

Tight Ends (3). Harold Fannin, Jack Stoll, Joe Royer.

Offensive Tackles (4). Spencer Fano, Tytus Howard, Austin Barber, Dawand Jones.

Offensive Guards (4). Elgton Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Teven Jenkins, KT Leveston.

Centers (2). Parker Brailsford, Luke Wypler.

Defensive Ends (5). Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Logan Fano, Free Agent.

Defensive Tackles (5). Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, Michael Hall, Jr., Kalia Davis, Adin Huntington.

Linebackers (5). Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Winston Reid, Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.

Cornerbacks (5). Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Tre Avery, D’Angelo Ross, Michael Coats, Jr.

Safeties (5). Grant Delpit, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Ronnie Hickman, Daniel Thomas, Donovan McMillon.

Special Teams (3). Andre Szmyt, Cory Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara.

I could easily see the Browns signing veteran players, especially at tight end, defensive end, running back and safety. Also, the Browns could go with four defensive tackles and keep six defensive ends, both Huntington and Wright can play DT. Finally, the quarterback position isn’t set. The team could go with two quarterbacks and add another running back. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Rookie minicamp just concluded and as always there’s plenty of optimism about the 2026 Browns draft class. Out of ten draft picks, it appears the Browns have found at least five starters, LT Spencer Fano, WR K.C. Concepion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and C Parker Brailsford. If the team can get any quality contributions out of four of the other five, (not counting QB Taylen Green) that’s a good draft class. Over the years, Browns GM Andrew Berry has been able to find very good players after the draft. Last year the Browns signed four undrafted rookie free agents who made significant contributions, DT Adin Huntington, WR Isaiah Bond, WR Gage Larvadain and S Donovan McMillon. This year is no different. Here are three to watch.

Micheal Coats, CB, West Virginia. Coats is a very athletic player who could play both safety and corner. He’s a physical player who has the size and speed to play in the slot. Coats ran a 4.4 40. In 2025 while playing for Nevada, he led the team in pass break ups (13) and interceptions (4). IN his final year at West Viginia, he again led the team in pass break ups (7).

Logan Fano, DE, Utah. Brother of first round pick Spencer Fano. In 2025 Fano had a pass rush win rate of 15.6 percent. In passing situations that number jumped to 25.5 percent. He’s torn his ACL twice, which may explain why he wasn’t drafted. But I can see why the Browns are rolling the dice on Fano, his 21.6 percent pressure rate in true passing situations is too good to ignore.

T.J. Harden, RB, SMU. Harden had pretty ordinary production as a running back, but in 2024 and 2025 while at UCLA, he was very productive as a receiver. In 2025 he was second on the team with 368 receiving yards which was 12.6 percent of the team’s total. Browns head coach Todd Monken was very vocal about the team adding a FB and the Browns did sign 12-year veteran Michael Burton, but if Harden can handle the blocking assignments, he could be the prefect west coast style FB.

Others to watch: Safety Zion Washington, DE Tyreek Sapp, DE Khordea Snyder, WR Aaron Anderson and WR Kole Wilson.

Finally, it’s NFL schedule announcement week with the full schedule being announced on Thursday night May 14. As the week progresses, the games overseas will be announced leading up to Thursday. You can follow me (http://@ctownthug) or follow who I’ll be reposting, Ozzy (http://@OzzyNFL) or NFL Nerd (http://@NerdingonNFL). Both are excellent follows for schedule leaks. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Now that the Browns have concluded one of their best drafts, I thought I would review where the team stands as of today.

First the draft. I hope everyone gets a chance to watch “The Pick Is In” an ESPN documentary about the 2026 draft, with the Browns featured prominently. The inside look at the Browns draft room is amazing. All I can say is calm, cool & collected. I’m so glad the Browns didn’t take the Cowboy’s low offer. Great job Andrew.

Salary cap. According to “Over The Cap” the Browns are currently around $23.5 million under the cap. Over the weekend it was reported the Browns were redoing the contract of OT Dawand Jones. Basically, the team moved his “Proven Performance Escalators” to upfront cash. These escalators are money Jones could earn, but instead he gets the money now. This does two things, better cap situation for the Browns and no consequences if Jones is cut. I expect the Browns to do the same thing for two other players, DE Isaiah McGuire and WR Cedric Tillman. All three of these players have under preformed or have been injury prone. All three are in the last year of their contracts and replacements were found in the draft or UDFA signings.

Off-season dates. Rookie training camp May 8-10, OTA’s May 19-21, June 2-5, Mandatory minicamp June 9-11. After that it’s Training camp in July.

2026 opponents. Just a reminder the official NFL schedule comes out this month. Usually, it’s the second or third week in May. The Browns will host Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Carolina and Las Vegas. The Browns travel to Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa, Nashville, New York Giants and Jets. The Saints are playing in Paris this year and the rumor is it will be October 25, week seven. Could the league send the Browns overseas in back-to-back years? Yes, they could.

Stay safe and Go Browns.