The Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 NFL Draft facing two glaring offensive concerns: wide receiver production and offensive line stability. According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., the Browns may address both needs in one aggressive first-round sweep.
In his latest mock draft, Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns decision-makers will select an 875-yard Ohio State wide receiver with the sixth overall pick before doubling back to land a towering 6-foot-7 Georgia offensive tackle at No. 24.
It is a bold projection and a notable shift from the more common mock draft narrative that had Cleveland prioritizing offensive line help first.
Mel Kiper Jr. Predicts Browns to Take Carnell Tate at No. 6
When Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns strategy, it often sparks debate. This time, he has Cleveland selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 6 overall.
Tate is coming off his most productive collegiate season, posting 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 51 receptions for the Buckeyes. His ability to stretch the field while maintaining physical control in contested situations makes him one of the more intriguing receiver prospects in this class.
Kiper believes Cleveland’s possession of two first-round picks allows flexibility. Rather than reaching for offensive line help early, the Browns could take advantage of having their choice of the entire receiver class.
The Browns have lacked consistent explosiveness on the perimeter. Adding a young, ascending wideout like Tate would give the offense a legitimate downfield threat and red-zone presence.
If Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns correctly here, it would signal that Cleveland sees immediate offensive firepower as a higher priority than line depth.
Browns Target Monroe Freeling at No. 24
The second part of the projection is equally significant. With the 24th overall pick, acquired from Jacksonville, Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns will select Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.
Freeling stands 6-foot-7 and brings rare length and athletic upside to the position. Though he has only made 18 collegiate starts, evaluators view him as a developmental tackle with strong pass-protection traits.
Cleveland’s offensive line situation makes this pick logical. Several linemen are set to depart, and the unit struggled with consistency last season. Protecting the quarterback, especially after a year filled with heavy pressure, is not optional.
Freeling’s size and pass-blocking foundation give him long-term anchor potential. While he may not be the most polished tackle in the class, his ceiling is undeniable.
Why Going WR First Is a Strategic Move
Most mock drafts have flipped this projection. The common expectation has been offensive tackle first, receiver second. But Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns may reverse that thinking for a reason.
Elite wide receivers often thin out quickly at the top of the draft. Offensive tackle depth, by contrast, could allow Cleveland to secure value later in Round 1. By selecting Tate at No. 6, the Browns would guarantee they secure a premium playmaker rather than settling for second-tier receiver options.
Freeling at No. 24 would then represent calculated upside rather than desperation.
What This Means for Cleveland’s Future
If Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns accurately, Cleveland would leave the first round having addressed its two most urgent offensive needs.
Carnell Tate would inject youth and explosiveness into the passing game. Monroe Freeling would provide a long-term investment in quarterback protection.
The approach reflects balance rather than panic. Instead of overloading one position, the Browns would stabilize both the perimeter and the trenches in one draft cycle.
It is a forward-thinking blueprint and one that could reshape Cleveland’s offensive identity heading into the 2026 season.
Whether this projection materializes remains to be seen. But if Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Browns strategy correctly, the franchise could take a decisive step toward offensive renewal.
