CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 2) – The Cleveland Browns have executed one of the most audacious roster maneuvers in modern NFL history. On June 1, the organization sealed a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams, converting their perennial Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, into a treasure trove of future NFL Draft assets. This is not merely a player swap; it is a total strategic pivot. The exchange hands Cleveland three first‑round selections in 2026, a first‑rounder in 2027, and an unprecedented level of control: the entire first six rounds of the 2028 NFL Draft, plus a third‑rounder in 2029. This move instantly reshapes their draft strategy and creates a window of acquisition that is virtually unmatched in the salary cap era.
To understand the magnitude of this deal, one must look at the regulatory landscape. Cleveland’s front office leveraged a newly enacted league rule allowing trades of picks as far out as 2029, a move first seen in the Garrett deal. By pushing the timeline this far, General Manager Andrew Berry has effectively secured a “insurance policy” for the next half-decade. The Rams receive Garrett and a 2026 fourth‑round pick, while the Browns walk away with a haul valued at over 30 future selections, according to Sporting News. The numbers reveal a clear shift toward stockpiling early‑round capital, signaling a willingness to endure short-term defensive regression for long-term structural dominance.
Why Cleveland’s Draft Philosophy Has Evolved Since 2022
Since the 2022 season, the Browns have undergone a subtle but steady transition in how they value veteran talent versus draft equity. Under the guidance of Andrew Berry, the team has shifted away from the “win-now” desperation that characterized previous eras of the franchise. This pattern accelerated after the 2024 free‑agency scramble, where the league saw a surge in high-priced veteran contracts that often left teams with limited flexibility. The Garrett trade marks the latest and most aggressive chapter of this evolution, adding depth to a stockpile already featuring multiple first‑rounders for 2026.
This strategy mirrors the “cassette‑first” trend, a philosophy where rebuilding clubs trade proven stars at their peak value for a volume of mid‑round and early‑round selections to speed roster turnover. Historically, teams like the 2010s-era Houston Texans or the recent Philadelphia Eagles have utilized similar stockpiling methods to ensure a constant influx of cheap, rookie-scale contracts. By moving Garrett now, Cleveland avoids the risk of a late-career decline while capitalizing on the highest possible market value for an elite edge rusher. In a league where the salary cap is constantly tightening, having the ability to draft 30+ players over four years allows a team to build a cohesive core without relying on the volatile free-agent market.
Key Details of the Garrett Trade and Future Picks
The logistics of the trade are staggering. The Rams receive Garrett—a generational talent who has redefined the edge rusher position with his combination of size and speed—and a 2026 fourth‑rounder. In return, the Browns collected two 2026 first‑rounders, a 2027 first‑rounder, a third‑rounder in 2029, and control of every single pick in the first six rounds of 2028. This level of concentration is almost unheard of; usually, teams trade for one or two first-rounders, but owning an entire draft’s early rounds allows a team to dictate the market.
Cleveland also secured three additional picks within the first two days of each of the next three drafts. This concentration of early‑round capital provides a strategic advantage during the draft process, allowing the Browns to “bully” other teams in trades or move up to secure specific targets without sacrificing their own future. The front office brass will likely begin scouting combines with an eye on converting this capital into on‑field success, focusing on positions of systemic need—specifically at quarterback and offensive line—to complement their remaining core.
Impact and What’s Next for Cleveland
The strategic implications are profound. Cleveland now owns a first‑rounder in the talent‑rich 2027 class, giving them a shot at a franchise‑changing quarterback or defensive playmaker. Owning the entire first six rounds in 2028 positions the Browns to either draft a cohesive young core or act as a trade hub, extracting veteran talent from other teams desperate for picks. This “broker” role allows the Browns to potentially acquire multiple All-Pro players in exchange for the picks they just acquired from the Rams.
However, the gamble is not without risk. Veteran scout Mike Mayock noted the cache provides “flexibility that most teams only dream about,” but he also cautioned that hoarding picks can backfire if scouting fails. A string of busts in the first round can set a franchise back a decade. Despite this, General Manager Andrew Berry remains confident, stating the team will “use every lever” to build a contender. The front office’s aggressive approach could reshape the AFC North by 2029, potentially shifting the power balance away from the current dominance of the Ravens and Bengals by flooding the roster with elite young talent.
In total, the package equals roughly 34 selections, a value often measured as 30 first‑round equivalents, according to draft analysts at ESPN. This valuation underscores the sheer volume of the haul. While the Rams sacrifice their future to secure an immediate defensive upgrade, Cleveland is betting on the mathematical probability that 30+ picks will yield more total value than one superstar. The haul gives Cleveland a cushion that many teams lack, and the flexibility to trade down or bundle picks for proven talent.
For the Los Angeles Rams, the acquisition of Garrett is a clear “all-in” move. Adding an elite pass‑rusher to their roster could accelerate their push for a playoff spot and provide the defensive pressure necessary to support their offensive schemes. The trade was approved by the league office on June 1 and made public the following day, marking a new era for both franchises.
Key Developments
- The Browns will have three picks within the first two days of the 2026, 2027 and 2028 drafts, a pattern not previously achieved by the franchise.
- Cleveland holds every pick in the first six rounds of the 2028 NFL Draft, allowing them to trade down or stockpile more later‑round talent.
- For the first time in league history, an NFL team traded for a pick in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft, illustrating aggressive early‑round maneuvering.
- By adding a third‑round pick in the 2029 draft, the Browns became the inaugural team to exploit the league‑s new rule permitting trades of 2029 selections.
- The trade gave the Rams a 2026 fourth‑round pick, completing a balanced exchange of veteran value for future draft depth.
How many total draft picks will the Browns control through 2029?
Based on the Garrett trade, Cleveland will hold the whole first six rounds of the 2028 draft, three first‑rounders in 2026, a first‑rounder in 2027 and a third‑rounder in 2029, totaling more than 30 selections across the four years.
What did the Rams receive in the Garrett trade?
The Rams got Myles Garrett and a 2026 fourth‑round pick, while Cleveland acquired two 2026 first‑rounders, a 2027 first‑rounder, and a 2029 third‑rounder.
When did the NFL allow trades of 2029 draft picks?
The league announced the new rule for trading picks as far out as 2029 ahead of the 2026 offseason, and Cleveland was the first to act on it, adding a third‑rounder for that year.
