Offensively, Cleveland faces a long list of needs. The line was last season’s most persistent issue, and a wave of veterans is heading toward free agency this winter. The wide receiver room has also lagged, making it difficult for any quarterback to thrive, especially if the passing game cannot consistently protect and target its playmakers.
Last year’s draft yielded a few notable contributors—tight end Harold Fannin, running back Quinshon Judkins and linebacker Carson Schwesinger—but those selections addressed positions that are often easier to fill through free agency than true organizational upgrades. The Browns will need more aggressive, position-specific talent accumulation to support Monken’s offense and a potential or returning quarterback.
In a recent two-round mock from The Athletic, the Browns are projected to be bolder with their first pick, selecting Utah tackle Spencer Fano at No. 6. The subsequent focus shifts to wide receivers, with Denzel Boston from Washington highlighted as a potential target to pair with any QB2 pursuit or to bolster the receiving corps if Cleveland sticks with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback.
If the Browns land Boston in the first-round wrap or late in the draft, they would then consider adding another receiver in Round 2, such as Elijah Sarratt from Indiana. Sarratt posted 65 catches for 860 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, bringing size (6-3, 213) and reliable hands to a group that could help Sanders progress in a more diverse, Pro-Style attack.
Overall, the plan hinges on a substantial offensive upgrade: a revamped offensive line, a stronger, more dynamic WR group and a capable play-action passing game to suit Monken’s system. If Cleveland can add Boston and Sarratt, and anchor the line with Fano, the Browns could provide Sanders with the weapons and time needed to improve, even if a quarterback competition or rest-of-roster changes remain on the horizon.
