ESPN analyst may have tipped off what the Cleveland Browns are really thinking about doing with No. 6 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Browns are set to be paying heavy attention to a few Ohio State players this week ahead of April’s draft.
We are now less than a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft where the Cleveland Browns are set to make two first-round picks. The Browns have been busy with free agency lately to get the roster overhaul going, and the draft will produce another strong avenue to improving the team.
Cleveland has been hosting draft prospects for visits to gather more information, and it’s pro day season as well. The latest development around the Browns is one a lot of fans will be glad to see.
The Browns are paying close attention to Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday
According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, the Browns will have multiple members of the franchise in Ohio’s capital city on Wednesday.
“I’m hearing the Browns are going to have a large contingent in Columbus tomorrow to look at all the Ohio State guys, and talk to a lot of them,” Trotter said.
It’s good news that the Browns will be heavily represented in Columbus. While this may seem like it is always the case, it’s not. Cleveland always has some sort of personnel in Columbus on pro day, but it would be wrong to say they’re always “heavily represented”.
Cleveland owns the No. 6 and No. 24 picks, as well as nine picks overall. Ohio State could see close to double-digit players drafted this go around a year after 14 former Buckeyes heard their name called last year.
What Ohio State players will the Browns be watching?
It has to start with WR Carnell Tate, who plays the position that’s arguably the biggest need for the Browns. Tate could push into a 4.4 40-yard dash time on Wednesday, which is what NFL folks will want to see. The next first round wideout from Ohio State is in contention to be the first wide receiver off the board, and it could happen at No. 6 to Cleveland.
Caleb Downs has to be the second player here. The Browns don’t have a big need at safety right now, but they could have Downs as a chess piece at nickel until he eventually takes over for Ronnie Hickman or Grant Delpit. Downs has future multi-time Pro Bowler written all over him with how sound of a football player he already is. Like Tate, Downs could end up the pick at No. 6 overall.
Max Klare makes sense as a Day 2 to early Day 3 option as a tight end for the Browns. Cleveland has their future at the position with Harold Fannin Jr., as well as free agent Jack Stoll to be a blocker. Klare can come in and be a second tight end who can play in-line and move.
We watched the Browns draft RB Quinshon Judkins just a year ago out of Columbus, come late April we’ll see if they want any Buckeyes from this draft class to take the drive up 71.