When it comes to NFL draft grades, we often hear from analysts and media pundits. But when a division rival's general manager sings your praises, that's when you know you've done something special.

Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta recently appeared on Baltimore radio and was asked about the AFC North's draft hauls. His answer might surprise Browns fans—and it certainly raised some eyebrows across the league.

"The Browns had a really nice draft and had a really nice draft last year," DeCosta said. "Andrew Berry, give him a lot of credit. He is a good evaluator, (and) he is pretty smart."

That's high praise coming from a rival, especially one that battles Cleveland twice a year. But DeCosta didn't stop there. He added, "With Todd Monken there, calling plays and as the head coach, I think that's a team that eventually will be a team to be reckoned with."

While that last comment carries a hint of "not yet," it's still a significant endorsement. For context, this was Berry's sixth draft as Browns GM—and it's easy to forget that when he was hired in 2020 at just 32 years old, he became the youngest general manager in NFL history.

That youth came with a learning curve. Berry also had to navigate one of the most infamous trades in league history, which left him without first-round picks in three of his first six drafts. There have been hits and misses along the way, but over the past two years, Berry has been on fire.

Last season, he completely overhauled the defense with young talent. Now, he's aiming to do the same on offense. Whether that pans out remains to be seen, but on paper, the 2026 draft class looks like another home run.

For Browns fans, hearing a rival GM acknowledge the progress is a welcome validation. And for anyone tracking the team's rise, it's clear that Cleveland is building something that the rest of the AFC North is starting to take very seriously.