The 2025 season is nearing its end, and fans and analysts are already buzzing about the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Cleveland Browns again drawing a lot of attention. As has been the case for much of the franchise’s modern history, it will once again be among the first teams to pick in the draft.
Who will they select this year?
Browns To Select WR Carnell Tate in 2026 NFL Draft To Give Shedeur Sanders Another Weapon
The Browns severely lacked at wide receiver this season, with no one even crossing the 700-yard mark, let alone the 1,000-yard mark. Much of the offense’s passing game hinged on rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who recorded 731 receiving yards on 72 catches and 6 touchdowns.
He was their top receiver by a long shot, having secured 22 more receptions than their next best player, Jerry Jeudy.
Fox Sports believes this is a strong argument for Cleveland to lead with a wide receiver in the next draft, and Ohio State star Carnell Tate should be their best option.
“Easily the best receiver in this draft, Tate is next in the long line of pro Buckeye receivers,” Fox said in its mock draft on Tuesday. “At 6-3, 195 pounds, he’s a big receiver who can dominate in the red zone while also serving as a deep threat. This year, he’s one of 12 Power 4 receivers to have nine receiving touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards. He is the instant offensive boost the Browns have so desperately needed.”
Tate made the most of his tall frame this season, recording 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns. The junior is widely touted as the best receiver in the 2026 class and should be a valuable addition to any team he lands on. In three years of college football, Tate has accumulated 14 total touchdowns.
PFSN’s Reese Decker, however, has Tate sliding one spot lower, predicting that the Buckeye star will go seventh overall to the Washington Commanders, which ranked 11th in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric. Dan Quinn and company struggled on offense this season, and adding depth to a receiving corps that already features Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin could be the answer for 2026.
Decker, instead, has Cleveland selecting Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 6. The Browns struggled to protect their three quarterbacks this season, making a strong case for O-line reinforcements.
Fox, meanwhile, has the team only targeting an offensive line piece with the 24th pick in the first round — Oregon offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon.
On the other hand, Decker believes the Browns’ No. 24 pick would make for a better spot to go for receiver depth. With Tate already off his board by then, the PFSN analyst slotted USC wideout Makai Lemon into the place. Lemon is “a premier playmaker” with “dynamic run-after-the-catch ability.”
