Browns must consider selecting this rising CB in 2027 NFL Draft

If you’re a Cleveland Browns fan, it’s never too early to look ahead to the upcoming NFL Draft class.

After trading away star EDGE rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this offseason, general manager Andrew Berry possesses a total of 11 picks in the upcoming draft cycle, including two first-round picks. And while the organization’s first pick in the draft will likely be a quarterback, the recently acquired pick from the Rams could be a perfect opportunity for the front office to continue its trend of adding young, talented playmakers to the roster.

Looking at some of the future needs for Cleveland, it’s clear that the defense will eventually need a secondary upgrade as star cornerback Denzel Ward ages. Luckily for Berry and company, there is a perfect replacement set to enter the 2027 NFL Draft in Clemson’s Ashton Hampton.

Why the Browns should target Hampton

Hampton, a 6-foot-3, 204 lbs., defensive back for the Tigers, has quickly become a rising prospect in the upcoming draft cycle. Despite playing behind the likes of 2026 second-round pick Avieon Terrell, the dynamic cornerback managed to record 45 tackles, nine pass deflections, three tackles for loss, and one interception in 2025, which was enough to gain the attention of NFL scouts.

One of Hampton’s biggest calling cards heading into the 2026 college football season is the physical style of play off the line of scrimmage. The highly touted defender is widely considered to be one of the best press cornerbacks in the upcoming draft class, as his blend of size, athleticism, and arm length allows him to excel in one-on-one situations.

Keep a close eye on Clemson CB Ashton Hampton for the 2027 NFL Draft 👀👀@dyfelt explains why he LOVES Hampton heading into the upcoming college football season! pic.twitter.com/NTUwzTzRxJ

— Daft on Draft (@DaftonDraft) June 26, 2026

While Hampton possesses all the potential to be an elite No. 1 cornerback for an NFL team, there are still plenty of parts to his game that he must improve this offseason in order to take the next step. His physical style of play can sometimes lead him to use his hands too much, and his inconsistency as a tackler was prevalent in his film from the 2025 season.

Still, if Hampton is able to clean up these parts of his game, he would be the perfect replacement for Ward on defense and a perfect complementary piece to veteran cornerback Tyson Campbell for the foreseeable future.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns must consider selecting this rising CB in 2027 NFL Draft