PITTSBURGH (WJW) — The pomp and circumstance of the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Pittsburgh.
When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, who currently have nine picks overall, ANYTHING could happen throughout the celebratory weekend — as any longtime battered fan is well aware.
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Fans can watch NFL Draft coverage on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network (or in person if so inclined). For the first round, teams have 8 minutes to make a pick. In the second round, it’s seven minutes. Then five minutes for rounds 3 through 6 and round 7 gets four minutes.
Round 1 — Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (the same time the Cleveland Cavaliers are taking on the Toronto Raptors in game 3 of their playoff series)
There are plenty of questions about which players are going to be picked and what sort of team new head coach Todd Monken is trying to create. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. But there are other quarterbacks available should the Browns be interested in such a thing.
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Ohio State could dominate the start of the draft with defensive back Caleb Downs, linebacker Arvell Reese (who also attended Glenville High School), linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Carnell Tate all having a chance to go in the Top 10. Meaning there’s a chance the Browns could bring in yet another OSU player into the fold.
Other players with Ohio ties who could go in the first round are: Kayden McDonald, defensive tackle at Ohio State, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety at Toledo and Blake Miller, who attended Strongsville High School and was an offensive tackle at Clemson.
But, of course, the Browns — who finished a disappointing 5-12 last season — could be shopping their No. 6 pick to another team. Only the Browns’ top brass know what’s in store.
The draft has not been held in Pittsburgh since 1948. As the city is not too far from Northeast Ohio, note the big event is being held at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium downtown. Find out much more about the NFL Draft right here.
The 2026-2027 NFL season does not begin until September. The Browns schedule won’t be released until later this spring.
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