Powered by Roundtable
spencergerman@RTBIO profile imagefeatured creator badge
Spencer German
8h
Updated at Mar 23, 2026, 22:49
featured

With two week of free agency in the books, a handful of notable needs still remain for the Cleveland Browns as the NFL Draft looms next month

The NFL offseason is all about filling holes on the roster. So far Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and GM Andrew Berry has tried to do just that, particularly along the offensive line. 

Next up is the NFL Draft, where Berry will have another opportunity to fix a flawed Browns roster. So what needs should still be at the top of his list to address? 

1) Wide Receiver

Is there any other option? The Browns' wide receiver room remains one of the worst in football at the moment, and it needs a major makeover in the next month. 

Through the first few weeks of free agency, Cleveland has done nothing to alter the group's makeup. That could change if Berry decides to pick someone up off of what remains from a not-so-inspiring list of free agents. Or if he has a trade up his sleeve. 

Regardless, it seems inevitable that the Browns will be looking to add a WR, or multiple, in next month's draft.  

2) Tackle

Fans are more than welcome to debate the order that Cleveland should take a WR or an offensive tackle in the draft. Whatever order, they remain the franchise's clear-cut top needs. 

Berry has done an admirable job trying to address the rest of the o-line via free agency. He traded for right tackle Tytus Howard and signed center/guard Elgton Jenkins and guard Zion Johnson. A noticeable hole remains at left tackle, though, and the draft feels like the obvious place for Berry to fill it. 

3) Cornerback or Safety

The Browns' secondary is mostly accounted for and in really good shape with Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell and Grant Delpit all due back. In an ideal world, free safety Ronnie Hickman is back as well.

As a restricted free agent, Cleveland offered Hickman the right of first refusal tender, allowing them to match any offers he gets, but that process has yet to play out. If he leaves, safety takes precedent here. Even if he stays, the Browns could use another option to play in the slot. 

Teams are using safeties in that spot quite a bit, and Hickman actually played a bunch of snaps there last year. Either or works, especially with Ward nearing the end of his second contract, the Browns do need to start thinking about what their future looks like on the back end of things. 

Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. catches a first-quarter touchdown pass against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland.Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. catches a first-quarter touchdown pass against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland.

4) Tight End

In general, the tight end group is in a good place, particularly because Harold Fannin Jr. is on his way to becoming an absolute star. Berry also added Jack Stoll into the fold during free agency to at least replace David Njoku's blocking prowess. 

Still, Todd Monken used the third most 12 personnel (two tight end sets) in the NFL last year with Baltimore. He likes to have weapons at that position, and finding another one is probably a good idea. 

5) Linebacker

Linebacker almost always feels like a need for Cleveland. In general, the group is in good hands with the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Carson Schwesinger as its headliner. 

The addition of Quincy Williams in free agency as a replacement to Devin Bush feels like a seamless one, too. Behind them, though, is a largely unproven group of youngsters, like Nathaniel Watson and Winston Reid. 

The Browns could use some depth in the middle of their defense to say the least. 

Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.