Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry executed what should be considered a successful first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. 

It all started with Berry executed an expected trade down from No. 6 overall to No. 9 overall with the Kansas City Chiefs, in a deal that also netted Cleveland picks 74 and 148 this year. 

When the Browns were back on the clock three picks later, Berry was able to land one of their top-rated players in Utah tackle Spencer Fano. Then, with a second first-rounder at his disposal following last year's blockbuster, draft-night trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Berry used pick no. 24 to select Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. 

Both selections addressed the two biggest holes on the team's roster, injecting some instant talent into an offense that was one of the worst in football in 2025. It sets the stage for Berry to hit the ground running on day two of the draft by truly targeting best player available throughout the second and third rounds, where Cleveland is currently slated to make three picks. 

With that in mind, here are the 10 best available players for the Browns to consider on Friday: 

McNeil-Warren was projected to be a first-round pick throughout much of the predraft process, but faded into being a second-rounder over the last week or so. He's likely to be one of the first players off the board on day 2. 

At 6-4, 201 pounds, McNeil-Warren boasts the stature teams look for in a play-making box safety. His ranginess shows up on tape, where the 22 year-old rallies to the ball to make plays in the run game and deliver some big hits. He can hold his own in certain coverages, but operates much better near the line of scrimmage rather than downfield. 

Cleveland hosted the Toledo product for a top-30 visit, so there's a notable connection there already. 

There was some smoke around McCoy potentially sneaking into the first round, despite missing the 2025 season due to a torn ACL. His 2024 tape was good enough to keep him in the conversation, though, as he led the team with 9 PBUs and tied for the team lead with 4 INTs, across 13 starts. 

He is as smooth a corner there is in this class, and the Browns do need to add some depth at the position. Primarily, they're looking for a nickel corner, but it's never a bad thing to start planning for the future either. 

Easily the top-rated receiver option still on the board after night one. Boston was regularly mocked in the first round over the last several months, showing as a dependable downfield weapon out of the X or Z role. He's excellent at tracking and adjusting to the ball to win 50-50 situations. 

After selecting Concepcion, it's unclear if the Browns would actually double down on wide receiver so soon. There's an argument to be made, though, that multiple pass-catching additions are needed. If so, Boston may just be in play. He notably had a top-30 visit with Cleveland. 

Hood stood out as another top cornerback in the Volunteers' program, really breaking out this past season. He's physically imposing in press-man and isn't afraid to stick his nose in on run plays. 

Given how much the Browns love playing in man coverage, Hood could be a flawless fit in their secondary, even if he starts out as a nickel cornerback, which is a legitimate need. 

Another wideout who paid a visit to Cleveland during the predraft process and there's plenty of athleticism there with a 4.48 forty, an 8.71 three-cone drill and a 10'05' broad jump. 

His production slowly grew, year-over-year from his freshman season at Michigan State, a sophomore season at Washington and then back-to-back seasons at Alabama. He has the versatility to line up inside or outside as well. 

Seemingly every year, linebacker ends up being one of the Browns' biggest moves heading into the draft. Ironically, Rodriguez is drawing comparisons to the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Carson Schwesinger, who was Cleveland's first pick of the second round this time last year.

His toughness is undeniable, having served in the U.S. Army before his college football career began at the University of Virginia in 2021. On tape, it feels like there are two of him on the field because he shows up everywhere and makes every play. He also has a knack for making the game-changing plays with 13 career forced fumbles and seven career interceptions. 

Stukes is easily one of the most versatile secondary players in the draft and his college career began as a walk-on, so effort is never an issue. He played a ton of snaps in the slot and down in the box and has mastered the ability to read and bait opposing quarterbacks, then flying around to break up passes or snag interceptions. 

If Cleveland misses out on McNeil-Warren in the second round, Stukes is a perfectly acceptable consolation prize. 

At 6-foot-6, 262 pounds, Young isn't afraid to take on would-be blockers and flexes some impressive physicality as he works his way to the quarterback. The next step is developing more consistent pass-rush moves to help his cause, but he's the prototype for a developmental pass rusher who can convert speed to power. 

Sneakily, edge rusher is a bigger priority for the Browns than some people realize, especially after their signing of A.J. Epenesa fell through due to a failed phyiscal. 

Berry generally has a propensity to bolster the defensive line on draft weekend, and that feels very much in play entering day two of the draft after taking care of those two glaring offensive needs. 

McDonald is just another member of a dominant Ohio State defense that produced three first-round picks. McDonald is an excellent run defender and should do more of the same at the next level, especially as he develops better tactics for taking on double teams. 

Standing at under 5-foot-9-inches, don't let Ponds height deceive you. He plays bigger than his stature suggests and may lead the class in heart. He has great eye discipline and has proven he can stay with speedy receivers in man coverage. Some of his best tape came against Ohio State stud, and his former high school teammate, Jeremiah Smith. 

As mentioned, the Browns could use a nickel cornerback, or a third safety and because of his size, Ponds may project better as a slot corner in the pros, making him a perfect option for Cleveland on Day 2. 

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