Browns Mock Draft round-up: Cleveland eyes Carnell Tate and O-Line help with two 1st-round picks

Andy McNamara

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Browns Mock Draft round-up: Cleveland eyes Carnell Tate and O-Line help with two 1st-round picks image

With two first-round picks to rebuild a struggling offense, Cleveland is facing a franchise-altering choice between fortifying the trenches or landing a homegrown superstar.

I’ve compiled three major mock drafts that all point toward a clear strategy: securing O-line protection or drafting a weapon at wide receiver to revitalize the Browns’ passing game.

6th Overall Pick

  • Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6'3", 195-lbs)

Easily the best receiver in this draft, Tate is next in the long line of pro Buckeye receivers. 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. (Fox Sports)

The Browns had an amazing 2025 draft, and they can kick things off in 2026 with a versatile tackle. Over 37 career games (36 starts), Fano allowed just four sacks, and the most recent came in Week 1 of the 2024 season. He played on both sides at Utah, and he has the size, power and technique to excel at either tackle spot. Cam Robinson and Jack Conklin are both free agents, so I could see Cleveland pairing Fano with Dawand Jones -- who is returning from a knee injury -- and trying to improve its middle-of-the-road pass protection. (Mel Kiper Jr.)

  • Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6'2", 200-lbs)

​​​​​​​ Cleveland may use every pick in this draft on receivers and offensive linemen. (I'm only partially joking.) Jordyn Tyson is a big-time player with the ball in his hands; the only concern is that he battled injuries during his collegiate career. (CBS Sports)

More: A.J. Brown to Cleveland for a 1st-round pick? 3 reasons the Browns must say no

24th Overall Pick (via Jacksonville)

  • Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon (6'5", 318-lbs)

The Browns desperately need an offensive lineman, having given up 51 sacks this season. But with the sixth pick, it's hard to imagine that Mauigoa or Fano will be available at that point, hence our projection of Carnell Tate. Pregnon is arguably the best guard in the draft, recording a pass block grade of 88.2 on the year — the seventh highest of all FBS guards with at least 300 pass blocking snaps. (Fox Sports)

  • Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia (5'10", 180-lbs)

    We're sticking with offense after Cleveland got tackle Spencer Fano earlier. No team saw less production from its wide receiver group in 2025 than the Browns. Their WR room totaled just 1,467 receiving yards, the lowest in the league and more than 100 yards shy of the next worst (the Jets). The Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,793 yards) and the Rams' Puka Nacua (1,715) each cleared that number on their own! You get the point: Cleveland has to go get a pass catcher.

    Branch is smaller at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but he's electric. No one can catch him when he gets into space, and he has the ability to turn a quick pass into a big gain. Branch had 81 catches for 811 yards and six scores this past season. (Mel Kiper Jr.)

  • Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6'6", 308-lbs)

I'll reiterate: wide receiver and offensive line are the primary concerns for whoever takes the Browns' head coaching gig. After taking Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson No. 6 overall, the team follows that by drafting Caleb Lomu, who has as much upside as any offensive tackle in the draft but lacks ideal play strength. (CBS Sports)

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