With two first-round picks, the Cleveland Browns are one of the most interesting teams to watch ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The franchise endured yet another tough season, underscored by three starting quarterbacks, and will aim to return stronger this year. Their path starts with a solid offseason and using their first-round picks wisely.
Who could they draft?
2026 NFL Draft: Browns Expected To Anchor WR Room With Ohio State Star Carnell Tate
Ohio State superstar Carnell Tate is the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 draft cycle. From his physical abilities to his intangibles, the junior’s stock is soaring at this point, as PFSN’s Ian Cummings expects teams to trade up for his services.
The favorite team to do so is the Browns, who have a lot of holes to plug on offense this offseason. Tate stands as a young star who could contribute early on and be a man of the future. Cummings highlighted the coaching dynamic that could play into Cleveland’s possible trade-up to get the Ohio State product.
“In his three years at Baltimore, new Browns head coach Todd Monken never had a true WR1,” Cummings wrote. “He’s intent to change that quickly in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.”
The wideout stands out among his peers due to his build and strong performances, and his 14 career scrimmage touchdowns are a testament to the value he brings to offenses.
“Tate has separated himself as the clear WR1 on my 2026 NFL Draft board,” Cummings added. “At 6’3″, 195 pounds, he boasts an unnatural blend of separation and catch-point skills. Per TruMedia, Tate logged 3.48 yards per route run in 2025, as well as a mind-boggling 28.2% catch rate over expectation.”
The young receiver draws comparisons to George Pickens, which strongly suggests the value he could add to new head coach Todd Monken’s system.
Cleveland has plenty of work to do on offense ahead of the next campaign, with quarterback, the offensive line, and wide receiver standing out as priorities (ranked dead last in PFSN’s Offense Impact in 2025).
While head coach Kevin Stefanski toggled between Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders at quarterback, there wasn’t much to see in the receiving corps. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. rose to become the team’s top receiver, albeit to the tune of only 731 receiving yards.
At the dawn of a new era in 2026, Tate could join a rebuilding team that’s in desperate search of quality play out wide, and more.
It’ll be interesting to see how Monken starts his time in Ohio.
