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Carnell Tate of Ohio State could be an option for the Browns with the No. 6 pick.
The Cleveland Browns need weapons to surround Shedeur Sanders, and according to Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, they could land a local favorite to help him out.
Kiper predicted the Browns would select wide receiver Carnell Tate of Ohio State with the No. 6 pick in April’s draft.
Sanders likely stands as the Browns quarterback of the future, though veteran Deshaun Watson is still under contract through the 2026 season. Sanders was a Pro Bowler in 2025 after throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games last year.
Tate was the top wideout option for the Buckeyes, who spent most of the year ranked No. 1 in the nation before losing their final two games to Indiana and Miami.
Mel Kiper Predicted the Browns to Select Carnell Tate at No. 6
The Browns have two first-round picks in the draft and surely need to target offense for rookie NFL head coach Todd Monken, especially after finishing 31st in the league in points per game (16.4) and 30th in the league in yards per game (262.1).
Yet, with playmakers at a premium, Kiper suggested the Browns to select arguably the best wideout available, especially for the talent-deprived Browns.
“Although Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa is tempting here, Cleveland would likely take its pick of the entire WR class and kick the can down the order on the OL,” Kiper wrote. “Tate is at the top of the receiver list right now, with great hands and savvy route running.”
Tate has 121 catches and 1,872 career receiving yards at Ohio State with 14 touchdowns over his three seasons in Columbus. He also helped the Buckeyes win the national championship in his sophomore season.
The Browns offensive weapons were largely ineffective in the passing game last year. But adding Tate to 2025 rookies Gage Larvadain and Isaiah Bond would create a fast, young and hungry wide-receivers room, especially joining veteran Jerry Jeudy, who somehow is still only 26 years old.
“Cleveland wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season,” Kiper wrote “So after an 875-yard, nine-TD season, Tate could step in as the top option for the Browns.”
Mel Kiper Predicted the Browns to Select an Offensive Lineman at No. 24
Tate can give the Browns’ a much-needed difference maker at wideout. But Cleveland has another first-round pick, thanks to its 2025 draft-day deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So picking at No. 24, the Browns would be poised to choose offensive tackle Monroe Freeling from Georgia, according to Kiper.
“Their entire starting offensive line from last season is unsigned. … So we know where this pick has to go,” Kiper wrote. “Freeling has started only 18 games, but he’s a solid pass protector. He just needs some work as a run blocker.”
Adding a so-so run blocker may not seem ideal, given the Browns’ success running the ball with Quinshon Judkins in 2025. But Freeling is enormous, and pairing him with the even-bigger Dawand Jones at left tackle, would make a formidable offensive line in Cleveland for years to come.
“His ceiling is high, and I like the idea of pairing the 6-foot-7 Freeling with the 6-foot-8 Jones as the O-line’s bookends,” Kiper wrote.
Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens
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