Browns NFL draft Thanksgiving, Black Friday rooting guide: Jaguars, Browns picks impacted

The Cleveland Browns might have a slim chance of still making a push for an AFC playoff spot, but that was mostly just to have something positive to think and talk about to start Thanksgiving Day. In the end, it is far more likely that the 2026 NFL draft order will be the thing we focus on for the rest of the season.

Heading into Week 13, the Browns were slotted with the sixth pick as well as the 22nd, coming over from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That means the holiday schedule for Thanksgiving and Black Friday games could be important in different ways.

The priority will always be the higher selection, in this case, Cleveland’s, in a game where both of the Browns 1st-round picks could be impacted.

NFL’s Thanksgiving Day Games

Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) vs Detroit Lions (7-4): 1 PM ET

This game would only impact the Jaguars selection if the teams do not make the NFL playoffs. Otherwise, Jacksonville’s pick will be decided by when they are eliminated from the postseason. Given the Packers having a tie, we will give a slight edge to rooting for the Lions in this one.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) vs Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1): 4:30 PM ET

With the Chiefs a game back of all three Wild Card spots, including the one held by the Jaguars, Browns fans should be rooting for Kansas City here.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) vs Baltimore Ravens (6-5): 8:20 PM ET

For both Cleveland’s small playoff hopes and their NFL draft position, a Bengals victory in the Thanksgiving nightcap would be good for the Browns. Plus, most Cleveland fans have the greatest hatred for the team created from the mess that Art Modell created.

Black Friday Game

Chicago Bears (8-3) vs Philadelphia Eagles (8-3): 3:00 PM ET

Similar to the Packers versus Lions, Bears vs Eagles will only impact the pick coming to the Browns from the Jaguars if the teams involved miss the playoffs, along with Jacksonville. No strong reason to root for Cleveland fans to root for either team, but my brother is a Bears fan (along with the Browns), so I will be taking a side. Don’t assume that means I’m rooting for his team, though (lol).