Cleveland Browns Trade Up For Makai Lemon in Chaotic 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Browns move up to No. 17 to select the USC wide receiver in a 12-trade mock draft.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 4:15pm

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In a recent 2026 NFL mock draft by FantasyPros' Mike Fanelli, the Cleveland Browns traded up from No. 24 to No. 17 to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The Browns sent No. 24, No. 70, and No. 147 to the Detroit Lions in the deal, as they look to add a legitimate No. 1 receiving threat for their offense.

Why it matters

The Browns have a clear need at wide receiver, as their current top option, Jerry Jeudy, has not lived up to expectations. Lemon, who had a standout junior season at USC with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, could be the playmaker the Browns' offense is missing. While trading up comes at a cost, the Browns have 10 picks in the 2026 draft, giving them the flexibility to be aggressive in targeting their top targets.

The details

In Fanelli's chaotic 2-round mock draft, which featured 12 total trades, the Browns moved up from No. 24 to No. 17 to select Lemon. They sent the Lions their 24th overall pick, 70th overall pick, and 147th overall pick in exchange for the 17th selection. Lemon, a talented wide receiver from USC, is known for his ability to create separation and make contested catches, traits that could make him an ideal No. 1 target for the Browns' offense.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.

The players

Makai Lemon

A wide receiver from the University of Southern California who had a standout junior season in 2025, recording 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns

An NFL team based in Cleveland, Ohio that is looking to add offensive playmakers in the 2026 draft, particularly at wide receiver and along the offensive line.

Detroit Lions

An NFL team based in Detroit, Michigan that traded the 17th overall pick to the Browns in this mock draft scenario.

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What they’re saying

“The Browns have 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Therefore, expect them to be aggressive in trading up if a player they like starts to slide. After selecting Spencer Fano with their sixth overall pick, Cleveland fills their other massive need on offense by drafting Lemon, giving whoever is under center in 2026 a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver.”

— Mike Fanelli, FantasyPros Writer (FantasyPros)

What’s next

The Browns will look to finalize their draft plans in the coming months, with the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled for April.

The takeaway

This trade up for Makai Lemon demonstrates the Browns' commitment to upgrading their offense through the draft, as they look to surround their future quarterback with top-tier talent at the skill positions. While it comes at a cost, Lemon's potential as a No. 1 receiver makes this an understandable gamble for a team with multiple early-round picks.