If Todd Monken is going to turn around the Cleveland Browns’ offense, he is going to need new playmakers at wide receiver and a drastically improved offensive line in 2026. It’s a good year to need a wide receiver with a class that is one of the strongest ones we have seen in recent history.
The offensive tackle class isn’t one of the stronger ones, but there are some intriguing players you can get in the earlier rounds that would be upgrades for the Browns, not that it’s that hard to do considering the group they trotted out in 2025.
Round 1, Pick 6: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns need a reliable playmaker who catches the ball and can threaten the field at all three levels, and that’s what you get out of Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, who had zero drops for the Buckeyes this year. Tate is a great route runner with awesome body control to adjust to the ball in the air. He’s a good blocker on the outside in the run game and converted on 12 of his 14 contested catch opportunities this season.
Round 1, Pick 24: Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling is a great athlete and one of the best pass-blocking prospects in the entire draft, with great length and quick feet. This year for Georgia, he played a total of 390 pass blocking snaps and allowed a total of six pressures with two sacks. If you want to read more about Freeling, you can find my full scouting report of him by clicking here.
Round 2, Pick 39: Blake Miller, RT, Clemson
Blake Miller is one of the more experienced tackles in the class. He was a four-year starter at Clemson, logging over 3700 snaps in college. He’s a good athlete with good arm length and powerful hands that he uses to take control of the reps. Miller doesn’t have elite power, but he has a finisher mentality and everything needed to hit the ground running as a solid starter at right tackle.
Round 3, Pick 70: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Connor Lew is my highest graded center in the class, but he tore his ACL in October, so he will likely slide a bit in April’s draft. Lew doesn’t have any elite physical traits, but he’s an intelligent player who plays with great technique and does all the little things right at the position. He’s got good movement skills and fires out of his stance quickly after the snap.
Round 4, Pick 107: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Genesis Smith is a great centerfield safety. He has the size, length, and range that allow him to cover a lot of ground quickly. He does a great job tracking the ball in the air and uses his length and physicality to break up the pass. Smith does a good job recognizing what’s happening in front of him and triggers downhill quickly to make an impact in the run and screen game.
Round 5, Pick 139: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Ted Hurst has good size and length at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, who does an excellent job of going up and snatching the ball out of the air, especially in jump ball situations in the red zone. Hurst is a good route runner who can throttle up and down at will to help create separation. He’s dangerous after the catch. The biggest question is how he will adjust to the level of competition coming from Georgia State.
Round 5, Pick 144: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Kyle Louis is a fun prospect who has great sideline-to-sideline speed, though he is a bit smaller and will likely be a fun weak-side linebacker. He is good in coverage and can be used in the slot or on the d-line as a stand-up situational pass rusher because of his burst and athleticism.
Round 5, Pick 147: Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee
Miles Kitselman has the build you want in an NFL tight end at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, with the frame to add even more mass if needed at the next level. Kitselman fires out of his stance into his route. Though he isn’t an elite-level athlete, he is a good possession receiver. He’s a powerful run blocker, especially when he gets a running start, climbing to the second level to hit linebackers and defensive backs.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns 7-round Mock Draft: Adding playmakers and rebuilding offense
Reporting by Jacob Roach, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
