The NFL Draft is often framed as a team-building exercise in filling roster holes. The Cleveland Browns, like every franchise, have specific positions they seek to address. However, General Manager Andrew Berry has emphasized that the draft board isn't built on need alone. Sometimes, the sheer talent of a player demands attention, even if his arrival would create a logjam at a seemingly settled position.
In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, two names -- Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs -- have emerged as potential targets for the Browns. According to reports, neither player fits a glaring "need" for Cleveland, yet both remain under consideration due to what Berry describes as their "unique" skill sets.
This philosophy offers a fascinating window into the Browns' front office mindset. Under Berry, Cleveland consistently operates with a "best player available" ethos, even when it leads to surprising selections. The interest in Love and Downs exemplifies this approach.
The 'Unique' Talent of Jeremiyah Love
Running back might appear the last position the Browns would prioritize, given their already deep and talented backfield, with established star Jerome Ford leading the group. Their current roster boasts versatility and substantial investment at the position.
Yet, Jeremiyah Love presents a compelling case. The Notre Dame product is not just another running back; he is a multifaceted offensive weapon whose rare blend of power, vision, and breakaway speed has caught the attention of NFL personnel evaluators. Love's college highlights demonstrate his capability to score from anywhere on the field while showing patience waiting for blocks and explosive acceleration to hit the home run breakaway run.
For Andrew Berry, the evaluation likely extends beyond the current depth chart. The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately?" league, particularly at running back, a position notorious for its physical toll and short career arcs. Adding a player like Love would provide the Browns with both elite insurance and a long-term succession plan. His abilities as a receiver out of the backfield and his aptitude in pass protection suggest he could contribute immediately, allowing offensive coordinator Travis Switzer another dynamic element to challenge opposing defenses.
Berry has stated previously that "sometimes a player's talent is so distinct, it forces you to reconsider your board." Drafting Love would be a statement that the Browns prioritize accumulating elite assets regardless of positional congestion. It may be a luxury pick but one with the potential for massive dividends by adding depth and offensive unpredictability.
The Caleb Downs Conundrum
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is similarly intriguing though for different reasons. He is widely regarded as among the best defensive backs in the 2026 draft class, combining instincts, range, ball skills, and tackling ability. Downs profiles as a future Pro Bowl-level safety.
The Browns' safety room is far from vacant. The team invested substantial resources to build a veteran and young core, including players like Rayshawn Jenkins and Ronnie Hickman Jr. The group is experienced and integral to defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg's scheme.
So why pursue Caleb Downs? The answer returns to the word "unique." Downs isn't merely a good safety; he is a potential defensive cornerstone. His football IQ, coverage versatility, and consistent presence around the football make him an asset that transcends current depth. In a pass-happy NFL, a defensive back like Downs--capable of playing deep, in the box, or slot coverage--offers immense flexibility.
For a defense that values turnovers and multiple fronts, Downs could be transformative. He would benefit from learning under veterans while contributing immediately on special teams and sub-packages. More importantly, selecting Downs would secure the safety position's future, aligning with Berry's practice of drafting elite talent a year or two before a position becomes critical.
The Berry Draft Philosophy in Action
This reported interest underscores Andrew Berry's long-term, talent-centric draft approach. He prepares the draft class to impact the franchise not just in the upcoming season, but across the next four to five years.
The "best player available" philosophy, while often debated, remains Berry's cornerstone. Passing on superior talent to draft for immediate need risks mediocrity. Berry's teams strive to avoid rosters dotted with good but not great players.
Whether the Browns select Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs, or another elite talent, the key message is adding "unique" players who elevate the entire roster. That approach pushes competition, raises the ceiling, and reinforces Cleveland's goal of sustained contention.
Of course, this discussion is part of pre-draft speculation; the Browns' actual draft board remains confidential. Still, Berry's public evaluation of these players signals that Cleveland prioritizes talent above positional urgency.
As the draft unfolds, if either Love or Downs is selected by the Browns, it will be a confident, forward-looking choice--not a panicked patch--but a testament to Andrew Berry's commitment to acquiring top-tier talent. When a "unique" player emerges, the Browns seek to find a way to make him a Cleveland Brown.
Coaching Staff and Roster Context
The Browns' coaching staff, led by Head Coach Todd Monken with Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer and Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg, aligns their schemes to maximize such versatile talents. GM Andrew Berry steers roster construction, balancing immediate competitiveness with future sustainability.
Current Browns running backs include Jerome Ford, Quinshon Judkins, and the younger backs who provide depth, making Love's addition a strategic asset rather than an immediate necessity. At safety, the mix of veterans like Rayshawn Jenkins and young contributors such as Ronnie Hickman Jr. sets a foundation that Caleb Downs could enhance and eventually succeed.
Conclusion
Andrew Berry's approach in the 2026 NFL Draft showcases a willingness to draft not just for today's needs but for long-term franchise excellence. The interest in Jerimiyah Love and Caleb Downs encapsulates this mindset--targeting players with uncommon skill sets whose impact will be felt years beyond this draft.
For Browns fans, this signals a forward-thinking strategy dedicated to building a championship-caliber roster through elite talent acquisition, regardless of current positional depth.
As the draft day dawns, all eyes will be on Cleveland's picks to see if these "unique" talents become the next Browns stars.