Browns Pick Top QB in Staged NFL Draft Clip

During the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, a staged video of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the Cleveland Browns’ pick caused quite a stir. Goodell confidently declared, “With the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Connor Roarke, quarterback, Ohio State,” before the camera cut to a Browns hat-clad figure in the tunnel. The catch? There is no Connor Roarke at Ohio State and the Browns didn’t have the No. 1 pick. The actual top selection was Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, taken by the Las Vegas Raiders.

The scripted clip was filmed for an upcoming Hulu series called “The Land,” a family drama centered around the Cleveland Browns. Sam Corlett is expected to play Connor Roarke, with Christopher Meloni, William H. Macy as the team owner, and Mandy Moore rounding out the cast. According to Macy, the series delves into deep plots that go beyond football, making it a riveting watch.

Despite missing out on a quarterback at the top of the draft, the Browns made the most of their picks. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave them an “A” grade for their selections, highlighting their ability to find impact players. The Browns moved down in the draft, landed elite talents like Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano and Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, and rounded out their selections with depth across different positions. Overall, it was another solid draft weekend for the Cleveland Browns.