Shedeur Sanders may not have locked down the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job for 2026, but he appears to be the frontrunner heading into the season. Regardless of who ultimately takes the snaps, the Browns face a clear and pressing need to upgrade their offense, particularly along the offensive line and in the wide receiver room.
With two first-round picks at their disposal, Cleveland enters a pivotal draft cycle. In PFSN’s latest mock draft, the Browns prioritize improving the passing attack, projecting the team to select one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft to provide immediate help for Sanders and the offense.
Browns Predicted To Select Top WR in 2026 Draft To Support Shedeur Sanders
The Browns severely lacked at wide receiver this season, with no one even crossing the 700-yard mark or ranking among the top 80 receivers in PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric. 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, highlighting the urgent need for a top-tier target. PFSN’s Jacob Infante predicts Cleveland will address that need by selecting Carnell Tate from Ohio State with the sixth overall pick.
“The Cleveland Browns have two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t be surprising if both of those picks were used towards bolstering the offense, especially at wide receiver,” Infante wrote. “Their top receiver in 2025 was Jerry Jeudy with 602 yards, and he was their only player at the position with over 350 receiving yards all year.
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“Carnell Tate can go under the radar sometimes at Ohio State with all the talent they’ve had there, but a good argument can be made that he’s the top wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. He brings an enticing combination of raw size and high speed that makes him a valuable vertical threat, and his body control attacking the ball in the air is tremendous.”
At 6-foot-3, Tate looks the part before the ball is even snapped. He’s physical without being stiff. His hands are strong, and his body control is exceptional, and when the ball is in the air, he treats contested catches less like 50-50 propositions and more like personal invitations.
He finished the 2025 season with an 86% contested catch rate, led the nation in receptions of 30 yards or more, and consistently punished defenses that dared to play him one-on-one.
The numbers back it up. In 11 games, Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns, which is his second straight season eclipsing 50 receptions and 700 yards. Over the past three seasons, he’s scored 14 touchdowns and would instantly become the Browns’ No. 1 target for Sanders or whoever wins the starting job.
