Browns GM Andrew Berry seems to confirm rumors of NFL Draft idea

Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US and Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports are among the NFL insiders who previously reported that Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry could trade down from No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft order to stockpile needed assets for the team's latest roster restructuring. 

During a recent chat with Browns beat writers at the NFL owners meetings, Berry seemed to confirm those stories are accurate. 

Andrew Berry doesn't "know" if Browns will spend the sixth pick of the draft

"It really just depends on the prospects that are available," Berry explained, as Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer shared on Thursday. "I don’t know that (we’ll find a trade partner), but I would tell you guys, I don’t know that we’re going to be picking six at the end of April, and if we are picking six, I have no idea what we’re going to take at this point."

An ESPN mock draft updated on Thursday predicted that the Browns will select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the sixth overall pick. However, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman thinks there's a chance that Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could want to move up from the 12th spot in the draft order. 

"We want to use the asset in the best way possible, whether that’s sitting and picking, trading up, trading down, trading it for a veteran player," Berry said about choice No. 6. "I know I said this last year and people thought it was just GM talk, but it really is the truth."

Berry was referencing how he acquired assets last year by trading the pick that the Jacksonville Jaguars used to grab two-way player Travis Hunter. While it's still early, the Browns seem to be the winners of that transaction this spring. 

Is Andrew Berry already thinking about the 2027 NFL Draft?

The Browns are currently without a proven long-term franchise quarterback on their roster. Meanwhile, some think the 2027 quarterback draft class could be responsible for multiple top-tier signal-callers. 

"I’m sure that world exists," Berry said about possibly picking up another 2027 first-round pick. "I don’t know the specifics of it today." 

Such a trade would likely put 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders and veteran Deshaun Watson on notice regarding Cleveland's quarterback situation.