Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Well, it’s the second year in a row that I have graciously taken the Cleveland Browns for this community mock draft. Before we start on 2026, let’s revisit what I stated last year for 2025. I implored the Browns to trade the pick. They did. However, since we are not allowed to make trades in this activity, I decided to take Abdul Carter and add to the Browns’ middle of the pack defense to make it great. The Browns took defensive lineman Mason Graham, who helped achieve the same results. The Browns’ defense in 2025 was fourth in total defense and fourth in overall EPA per play. So, I feel good about my assessment and how it turned out. I also stated that this was a two-year fix for the Browns and after looking at the offense, we can see that thought was also on target. While I fully backed the trade and taking Mason at fifth overall, the Browns’ draft after that point was: LB, RB, TE, QB, RB, QB. And all the while their offensive line outlook was bad. I cannot understate how BAD their o-line is. I said they should have built the lines out but instead the Browns went in another direction with the results exactly how you expect.
The pick is Olaivavega “Vega” Loane. Full disclosure, like last year, I am a Penn State grad. Penn State had a rather eventful year, but the wild year was not anything to do with Vega. He was a man amongst boys in the middle of the o-line for Penn State. Let’s jump into the reasons for the pick.
If you got this far and want to just jump to the comments to blast me or praise me or just don’t care to read the reasons, go ahead and scroll down.
Cleveland offensive ranks for 2025 from teamrankings.com:
- Total offense: 30th
- Scoring offense: 31st
- Rushing yards per game: 27th
- Passing yards per game: 31st
- Sacks allowed 26th
I think you get the picture. Adding two running backs, two quarterbacks, and a tight end last year didn’t fix the issue. The issue was their offensive line. The biggest weakness for the Browns was at left tackle. I’m not going to get in-depth how bad that spot was for the Browns but it was BAD. Unfortunately for the Browns, the only offensive takcle I thought was worthy of a pick to help with that spot is gone. I absolutely love Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor but Mauigoa is a right tackle and all the reports I have read think Proctor is going to be better at RT at the professional level. When you pick in the top 10 of the NFL draft, you need guys that can contribute right away and also be around for that second contract. Vega is the best bet to fill a spot on the Browns’ o-line with these two criteria. I like that you can always help chip a guy on the OT but you have little to no help like that with guys rushing straight up the gut. No more free rushers right at the quarterback’s face this year, please. From NFL.com, here are Vega’s strengths:
- Prototypical guard build, with thick limbs and a broad frame.
- Plays with impressive core power, body control and contact balance.
- Creates leverage with upward hand strikes and rolls hips under his hands.
- Uses grip strength and chopping feet to stay tight as a drive blocker.
- Size and power create momentum to wash out angle blocks.
- Punches with tight hands and good pop.
- Snaps off twisters with good force.
- Firm inside hand with ability to set quick anchors against power.
Also: “He worked hard to eliminate some extra weight and re-shape his body in the offseason and I think he played more consistently because of it. – AFC area scout”
Pro Football Focus grades him out at 87.0 in pass blocking and 78.6 run blocking. He allowed a total of four pressures this past year, zero sacks and one penalty in 311 passes and 303 runs. In fact, he has only given up two sacks and that was his first year playing in 2023.
All told, he’s the number one guard that worked hard to make himself better. As a redshirt junior, his age is appropriate for this pick and since Vega just lived through the craziest PSU football season I can remember, being part of the Browns should come naturally. Let’s build this thing from the inside out Browns! Maybe grab two more o-linemen as well while you are at it. No, we are no taking a wide receiver here, we actually are trying to not get one of the team’s quarterbacks killed this year.
2026 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Raiders (Mailata_in_a_Miata): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2) Jets (Dr.MidnightGreen): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
3) Cardinals (grantspectations): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
4) Titans (DrBubbles): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5) Giants (ablesser88): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6) Browns (kjb304): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
7) Commanders (Jerry Robinson 56)
8) Saints (VetStadiumSection358)
9) Chiefs (Hoosinole)
10) Bengals (chuckelberryfinn)
11) Dolphins (phillyfan)
12) Cowboys (Green Grampa)
13) Rams (All_Hail_Howie)
14) Ravens (215T1LL1D1e)
15) Buccaneers (pascofljoe)
16) Jets (Euegene11)
17) Lions (BCHaas)
18) Vikings (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop)
19) Panthers (LancGuy)
20) Cowboys (Cravin’ LeBlanc)
21) Steelers (iam4theBirdz)
22) Chargers (Aint1stULast)
23) Eagles (Philly21)
24) Browns (FierceDisc65)
25) Bears (jazztafari)
26) Bills (PhillyTexan)
27) 49ers (granthill7)
28) Texans (CrackTheEaglesNut)
29) Chiefs (z)
30) Dolphins (Booth12)
31) Patriots (Niels Rosenquist)
32) Seahawks (J. Wil)
Now it’s YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.
1) Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
2) Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese
3) Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa
4) Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love
5) Giants: LB Sonny Styles
6) Browns:
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