Sportsvival is tracking the full 2026 NFL Draft picture, and the Cleveland Browns are one of the more interesting teams in the top 10. Cleveland finished 5-12, holds the No. 6 overall pick, and also owns a second first-rounder at No. 24, which gives the franchise flexibility to attack both immediate needs and long-term roster building in the same draft.
Free agency showed Cleveland’s first priority
The Browns’ early free-agency work made one thing clear: they wanted to rebuild the offensive line first. Cleveland acquired tackle Tytus Howard in a trade with Houston, re-signed Teven Jenkins, re-signed punter Corey Bojorquez, and added Elgton Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Quincy Williams, and Jack Stoll. Reported additions also included defensive tackle Kalia Davis and corner Tre Avery.
That approach made sense. ESPN reported that Cleveland’s line finished 20th in pass block win rate, 24th in run block win rate, and allowed pressure on a league-high 39.1 percent of dropbacks in 2025. In other words, before the Browns worried about flash, they had to fix the foundation.
Who the Browns lost
Cleveland also saw real movement on the way out. Devin Bush agreed with the Bears, Cameron Thomas agreed with the Falcons, Jerome Ford agreed with the Commanders, and Jack Conklin was released. ESPN’s Browns free-agency tracker also noted that Wyatt Teller will not return and that David Njoku is not returning in 2026, which leaves the Browns with some notable holes even after the first wave of additions.
Browns’ top 3 needs
1. Wide receiver
This is the spot that makes the most sense for Cleveland at No. 6. The Browns had solid production from Harold Fannin Jr. and Jerry Jeudy in 2025, but the rest of the receiving group was far less proven. Team stats show Fannin led the team with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns, while Jeudy added 50 catches for 602 yards and two scores. After that, Cedric Tillman had 21 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and Isaiah Bond had 18 catches for 338 yards. Cleveland needs another true difference-maker on the perimeter.
2. Quarterback
Quarterback is still a position to watch, even if Cleveland does not force the issue at No. 6. The Browns’ current roster includes Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders, and with picks No. 6, No. 24, and No. 39, they have enough draft capital to add competition or a future answer without having to reach on one specific passer with their highest selection.
3. Offensive tackle
The Browns attacked the offensive line in free agency, but tackle still belongs on the list. Howard helps, but Conklin is gone, and Cleveland’s broader offensive-line overhaul shows the position group is still very much under construction. The Browns improved the room, but they should keep adding to it.
The pick: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
If Sportsvival is putting a name on the Browns at No. 6, Carnell Tate makes a lot of sense. Tate is listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, officially ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and declared early for the 2026 draft after emerging as one of Ohio State’s top targets. He brings size, ball skills, body control, and the kind of boundary-receiver profile Cleveland could use opposite Jeudy.
The bigger point is fit. Cleveland already used free agency to stabilize the line, and having two first-round picks means the Browns do not have to treat No. 6 like their only chance to fix the roster. That opens the door to taking the best premium playmaker available. Carnell Tate would give the Browns a long, polished outside target with big-game pedigree, and he feels like the kind of pick that could immediately help the offense while still carrying long-term value.