As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Cleveland Browns find themselves facing a distinct sense of déjà vu. Front offices are defined not just by the players they select but by the elite talents they let slip away.
For Cleveland, the ghosts of the 2025 draft process could heavily influence their strategy this year, particularly when it comes to evaluating Ohio State’s star wide receiver, Carnell Tate.
Why the Browns’ 2025 Draft Could Influence Their Decision on Carnell Tate
To understand the Browns’ current draft-day dilemma, one must look back to last year’s top-10 selection. Cleveland had an opportunity to add a premier perimeter playmaker but ultimately passed on highly touted wideout Tetairoa McMillan.
They opted instead to bolster the trenches with defensive tackle Mason Graham. The decision sparked debates among the fanbase, but the underlying reason had less to do with McMillan’s collegiate tape and everything to do with a lack of pre-draft athletic data.
Prominent draft analyst Dane Brugler recently shed light on this organizational philosophy, noting a fascinating parallel between McMillan’s pre-draft process last spring and Tate’s current trajectory.
“I think it’s funny with Carnell Tate from Ohio State, one of the reasons they passed on McMillan last year in the top 10 and they went with Mason Graham was because they had an incomplete testing profile on McMillan,” Brugler explained. “All he did was a 40-yard dash, in the entire process, and he ran a 4.53.”
In a modern NFL where front offices, especially with today’s analytically driven regimes, covet comprehensive athletic profiles, skipping the combine or pro day drills is often viewed as a massive red flag.
Fast forward to 2026, and Tate has presented the exact same puzzle. After earning a PFSN CFB WR Impact grade of B, ranking him 8th overall, the Ohio State product opted out of the agility drills and explosive jumps, leaving evaluators with just a single metric to gauge his raw speed.
Brugler highlighted this uncanny coincidence, noting, “What did Carnell Tate do? All he did this process was run a 40 and he ran a 4.53.”
.@dpbrugler gives one reason the Browns passed on Tet McMillan, and it may be foreshadowing for Carnell Tate. 👀
“They had an incomplete testing profile on McMillan. All he did was a 40yd dash, and he ran a 4.53. What did Tate do?”
presented by @FanDuel https://t.co/sNKNQJSEH5 pic.twitter.com/c0TW23YXhV
— BIGPLAY Cleveland Show (@BIGPLAYCLEshow) April 14, 2026
Strict adherence to their testing thresholds cost the Browns a chance at McMillan, who immediately proved his worth by putting together a spectacular rookie campaign for the Carolina Panthers. He earned a PFSN WR Impact metric grade of C, ranking him 44th out of all receivers for 2025.
McMillan’s seamless transition to the pro game proved that undeniable on-field production and route-running savvy can absolutely outweigh a missing three-cone drill or broad jump. Now, Cleveland’s brass must decide if they have adjusted their internal models or if their baseline testing requirements remain non-negotiable.
“And so I think it’s interesting when you look at it through this lens,” Brugler added. “Would the Browns, seeing the success that McMillan had last year with the Panthers as an NFL rookie, would they make the same, I don’t want to say mistake, but would they look at the situation the same this year with Tate?”
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If the Browns hold firm to their requirement for a fully verified athletic profile, Tate could face a surprise draft-day slide past Cleveland’s spot on the board. However, if the sting of watching McMillan thrive in Carolina has forced a shift in their scouting paradigm, Tate might just be the exception to the rule.
Ultimately, the 2026 NFL Draft will reveal whether Cleveland’s front office is willing to adapt or if history is destined to repeat itself.
