Browns NFL Mock Draft Monday: Is Deshaun Watson the guy beyond 2026?

The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C. next year. In that draft, the Browns still have their first-round pick, but a lot could happen in the next 7 months. Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup about the team, and who they may add through the draft in a class many are calling one of generational wealth.

>While we will always look at mock drafts from analysts around the space, we will also keep up with our Mock Draft Mondays here on Browns Wire.

>The Browns won things late with their defense stepping up and Deshaun Watson finding their way against the Ravens, but is that enough to affect the picks ahead? Let's dive into our first 7-round 2027 NFL Mock Draft for the Browns.

Round 1: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole MissDeshaun Watson has the Browns 4-2, and in first place in the division, that doesn't matter in the bigger picture. This team is overachieving at the moment, and Watson is not the reason why; the defense is carrying this team week in and week out. The quarterback play has been a hindrance, and that is why we are fixing it with the uber-talented Trinidad Chambliss. He has the clutch factor yoy get with Washington in a younger, more athletic frame, and the Rebel signal caller has also flashed a brilliant arm this year.

Round 1: A'Mauri Washington, DL, OregonI love the Browns' defensive front right now, but they have some pending free agents that are likely to be too pricey to return to Cleveland. Washington is an athletic, quick interior defender who could be a fun complement to Mason Graham. The middle of the defense needs to continue to be up for the assignment, which means handling Derrick Henry as they did in Week 6 and also creating pressure as they have all season. Washington helps them check both of those boxes.

Round 2: Zabien Brown, CB, AlabamaThe Browns' cornerback group has been brilliant in flashes this year, but they lack depth behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell. Zabien Browns is a really fun prospect who has size and good instincts to provide coverage. Ward has been beaten up in the past, and Campbell has had a hard time with certain assignments, so having depth here is crucial, and you could do a lot worse than Brown.

Round 3: Desmeal Leigh, OT, Youngstown StateDesmeal Leigh is a big of a project with all the physical tools in the world, but this still may seem like a bit of a stretch for the pick. However, Tytus Howard has been hit or miss this season, so putting Leigh behind him to develop while his contract works its way through things isn't the worst idea. Not to mention, injuries happen at a moment's notice, and it would be a really fun piece to have in case of emergency.

Round 4: Rasheem Biles, LB, TexasQuincy Williams is a fun, rangy linebacker who is fitting in well with Carson Schwesinger in the Browns' defense. Rasheem Biles is someone who plays a similar style to Williams, so he should also fit in well, and at the linebacker position, depth is key.

Round 4: Anthony Evans III, WR, Mississippi StateAnthony Evans III is the serious threat in the Mississippi State offense in 2026. Kamario Taylor has shown he can be a trusted option when looking for a big play. Right now, the Browns have Denzel Boston acting as their serious threat, but there would be room for Evans if the team moves on from Jerry Jeudy.

Round 4: DeSean Bishop, RB, TennesseeDeSean Bishop is one of my favorite running backs in the 2027 NFL Draft class, if he declares. Bishop is a homerun hitter who can also throw his weight around. He has had a great 2026 season and is poised to be one of the top running back prospects when folks start diving into his game this offseason. The Browns and Quinshon Judkins are not getting the results out of the backfield they need, so adding Bishop to the rotation is a no-brainer.

Round 5: Anto Saka, Edge, Texas A&MI firmly believe in having a deep rotation of pass rushers, and the Browns seem to have the same approach. Anto Saka has been around in college football for a while and is physically gifted; he just needs to be a part of a defense that can harness his gifts. I think him playing in the Browns' pass rush rotation could get the most out of him and be a great value here in Round 5.

Round 5: Harrison Moore, C, FloridaThe offensive line needs some depth pieces, as they have shown they can take a beating. Moore is a fun piece to have behind their interior players as a good insurance policy.

Round 7: Marcus Neal Jr., S, Penn StateThe Browns and Mike Rutenberg have developed a physical defense over the course of six weeks in 2026. Marcus Neal Jr. isn't going to start for the Browns given who they have at safety, but he is a fun special teams player and could be in rotation in the secondary and even in some unique linebacker packages.

Round 7: Rocky Beers, TE, OklahomaThe Browns add a tight end to round out this mock draft for depth purposes. Rocky Beers has an athletic style and could be a backup to Harold Fannin Jr. He could find some usage in other ways that Todd Monken may be able to doctor up as well.

>This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Mock Draft Monday: Is Deshaun Watson the guy beyond 2026?