ESPN has predicted who the Cleveland Browns will be picking in the first 3 rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns have some crucial selections to make early in the 2026 NFL Draft, and ESPN’s Field Yates has them going a certain direction.
We’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft and teams will be finalizing their draft boards before we know it. The Cleveland Browns badly need to knock this draft out of the park, as they did a year ago.
Cleveland went into free agency and did a solid job of filling out most of its biggest needs along the offensive line. Heading into the draft, left tackle remains the biggest hole for the Browns, one they’re likely to address early on with their picks.
ESPN released a 2-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Field Yates has released a mock draft and made a few interesting picks for the Browns. Cleveland has three picks in the top 70, and here’s how he sees things going.
Round 1, Pick 6: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
“The Browns’ most obvious needs are at wide receiver and offensive tackle — despite plenty of new additions – and I’ve been an advocate for considering Georgia’s Monroe Freeling here to fill the left tackle need. But Tate is rated four spots higher than Freeling in my individual rankings, so let’s go with the sure-handed wideout.”
Round 1, Pick 24: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
“Cleveland’s patience at left tackle pays off here by landing Lomu, who held down that spot opposite of Spencer Fano for the past two seasons at Utah. Lomu did not surrender a sack in 2025, but he must become a more physically formed tackle with improved strength at 6-6, 313 pounds.”
Round 2, Pick 39: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Does this mock fit what the Browns need to do?
Taking Tate with the first pick needs to be at the top of the board for the Browns. Cleveland’s offense was at the bottom of the league last season in points scored and they badly need dudes who can move the chains and score touchdowns. Tate has the chance to be a true WR1 in the NFL, and he makes contested catches look regular often. If he’s there at No. 6, it could be hard for the Browns to pass him up.
Waiting until No. 24 is a risk for the Browns and getting a left tackle. It works out here, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Browns opted to move up from the back end of the first round for a tackle. Lomu can step in and start Day 1 for the Browns, and should be able to improve as a rookie steadily. If these two picks played out this way, Browns fans should be pretty happy.
Cleveland taking a cornerback in the third round isn’t the biggest need, but by this point, they could be going best player available to simply get more talent on the roster. Denzel Ward isn’t going to get any younger and the concussion issues are a real thing with him. The Browns have Tyson Campbell opposite of Ward, but they do need to continue adding youth to the room. Cleveland could use Cisse on the field in the slot at times if they see him as a fit.
Overall, this mock accomplishes what the Browns need to do through three rounds. Depending on who is there at No. 70 overall I’d go in a different direction, but it’s clear the Brown would be a better team having made these picks.
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