It’s been a very long time since the Browns have had a true WR1, and for the first time in a while, they’re in a good position to potentially take one with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ohio State’s Carnell Tate could potentially fall right into their lap in the first round, as defensive guys like Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles are seemingly skyrocketing up draft boards lately. Besides Fernando Mendoza going to Las Vegas at No.1, the picks leading up to Cleveland’s could be littered with offensive
linemen and defensive players. This might be the outcome that Andrew Berry and Co. are hoping for next month, allowing somebody like Tate to be pounced on at No.6.
Name: Carnell Tate
Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 192 pounds
College: Ohio State Buckeyes
2025 Stats: 11 games- 51 recs., 875 rec. yards, 17.2 Y/R, 9 TDs
Career Stats: 39 games – 121 recs., 1872 rec. yards, 15.5 Y/R, 14 Tds
Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 8th overall, projected first round
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Round 2 – Winning Starter
What an expert is saying
Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.
What an expert is saying (bonus round):
There’s a lot of debate about WR1, but Tate’s my pick. His combination of size, fluidity, attention to detail as a route runner, and aggressive, strong hands makes him the most complete player in a strong receiver class.
Tate is a day-one starting perimeter receiver in the NFL. He shares some similarities with Davante Adams in terms of their size, route-running craftiness, smoothness of movement (with solid but not elite speed), and confidence of hands.
Fit with the Browns
There’s honestly not much to say here. Cleveland has needed a No.1 wide receiver for a while now, and Tate has the potential to fill that role immediately for the Browns. He’d most likely stick to an outside role in Todd Monken’s offense, with “Z” seeming like the best fit. Despite not having the blazing long speed it usually requires, he’s able to stack and beat cornerbacks deep consistently, and his catch concentration and body control allow him to come down with some crazy catches.
He can be moved around all over the formation, and is much better at the catch point than Jerry Jeudy is right now, which should also make him more effective in the red zone for whoever ends up starting at quarterback for Cleveland.
Browns player drafting could impact
Jerry Jeudy. Tate would be operating in the WR1 role for the Browns, so that would naturally mean fewer playmaking opportunities downfield for Jeudy.
Priority: 10/10
What are your thoughts on Carnell Tate? Should the Browns take a gamble on him? Let us know in the comments!
