The 2026 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away, and the Browns are in a unique position in the first round of the draft.
Not only to do they hold the sixth pick, but they also have the 24th pick in the draft – which they acquired in a draft-day trade with the Jaguars in 2025. The last time the Browns held two picks in the first round was in 2018, when they selected QB Baker Mayfield as the first pick and CB Denzel Ward as the fourth pick in the draft. With two picks in the first round, Cleveland has an opportunity to add talent to its roster either at multiple positions or address a specific position.
The Browns have used available first-round picks to make key additions to the roster, most recently selecting DT Mason Graham at No. 5 in the 2025 draft. Cleveland hasn't held the No. 24 pick since 1954 but have more recently picked in the late-20s of recent drafts. In 2021, the Browns selected CB Greg Newsome II at No. 26. Then in 2017, they drafted S Jabrill Peppers at No. 25 and TE David Njoku at No. 29.
The 24th overall pick in the NFL draft has produced top talent over the years with players building successful careers as starters and role players. Let's take a look at five of the most recent selections at No. 24.
2025: OL Donovan Jackson, Vikings
Jackson played an important role on the Vikings' offensive line during his rookie season, as he started all 14 games played. According to PFF, Jackson played 795 offensive snaps at left guard for the 2025 season and earned a earned a 59.4 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season – 46th among 81 qualified offensive guards. He allowed 26 total pressures in pass protection, including two sacks and five hits allowed to opposing pass rushers.
2024: CB Terrion Arnold, Lions
After the Lions jumped up in the draft to take Arnold at No. 24, he quickly became a vital part of their secondary in his rookie season. Arnold started 15 of 16 games played in 2024 and totaled 60 tackles and 10 passes defensed. In his second season, Arnold struggled with a shoulder injury and started seven of eight games played. He recorded eight passes defensed and one interception in the 2025 season before he was placed on injured reserve in December 2025.
The Browns hold the 24th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as their second of two first-round picks. The 24th overall pick in the NFL Draft has produced top talent over the years with players building successful careers as starters and role players.
New York Giants first round draft pick Deonte Banks, center, poses with head coach Brian Daboll, left, and general manager Joe Schoen during a press conference at the NFL football team's training center in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) pursues a play on defense against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson III runs a play during an NFL football photo opportunity practice, Friday, May 6, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick Donovan Jackson answers questions during a news conference Friday, April 25, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2) stops Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs runs with the ball past Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) pursues a play on defense against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz (51) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson III (22) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz (51) in action during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) runs drills during the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs with the football during an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley answers a reporter's question at the NFL football team's mini camp Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Alameda, Calif. Conley, the Raiders' first pick in the 2017 NFL draft, played in only two regular-season games last season due to an injury. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard park, N.Y., Sunday Sept. 12, 2021. (AP/ Photo Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Wide receiver (2) DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Panthers defeated the Cardinals 34-10. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore (2) hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) carries past Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) makes a cut with Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell (37) defending during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackles Tyler Smith (73) and Tyron Smith (77) prepared to block during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks runs during the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 49-17. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz (51) after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) stands on the field during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 9, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) runs off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
2023: CB Deonte Banks, Giants
Banks has spent his first three years with the Giants and had a consistent starting role in his first two seasons as he started all 29 games played. Then in 2025, Banks saw his role shift, as he started six of 16 games played, and established himself as a kickoff returner. In 2025, he recorded 31 tackles and five passes defensed and also returned 19 kickoffs for 622 yards and a touchdown.
2022: OL Tyler Smith, Cowboys
In his four seasons with the Cowboys, Smith has been a consistent starter for Dallas as he has started all 63 games played. He has also moved around the offensive line, playing at left tackle and left guard. According to PFF, Smith played 1,110 offensive snaps during the 2025 season, taking snaps at both left guard and left tackle. He allowed 26 total pressures in pass protection, including three sacks and zero hits allowed to opposing pass rushers. Smith cemented himself as a piece of the Cowboys' offensive line for the future as well, as he signed a four-year contract extension in 2025.
2021: RB Najee Harris, Steelers
Harris spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Steelers and established himself as a durable player, starting all 68 regular-season games. Over those four seasons, he recorded 1,097 carries for 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns – topping 1,000 yards in each of those seasons. He also added 180 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He then signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in free agency in 2025 but only played in three games before he sustained an Achilles injury in Week 3 and missed the remainder of the season.
