Browns Pair Shedeur Sanders With Top WR in NFL Mock Draft
Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns are ramping up for the 2026 NFL season. The spotlight was instantly on Sanders and the Browns when he was selected No. 144 overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, the 6-foot-2 quarterback moved up the depth chart last season.
First, veteran Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. Second, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. This paved the way for Shedeur's first start in Week 12, a 24-10 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders threw for 209 yards, completing 11 of 20 passes for a touchdown and an interception.
Sanders had a strong debut season in Cleveland. He ended the season with 1,400 passing yards and a 56.6% completion percentage, along with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Trinity Christian School graduate was recognized for his steady play and was named to the Pro Bowl.
The Browns are projected to add offensive skill talent in the 2026 NFL Draft to aid their young quarterback's development. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. led the team in receptions (72), yards (732) and touchdown receptions (6). Bringing in a talented wide receiver could help provide an offensive spark.
That is exactly what Cleveland is projected to do with its first-round selection in the upcoming draft. NFL writers for Yahoo Sports, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, collaborated on a 2026 NFL mock draft. Tice handled the even-numbered picks, while McDonald selected the odd-numbered picks. For the Browns' selection at No. 6, McDonald projects that Cleveland will select Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate.
Tate is a savvy receiver who adjusts to the ball, using his strong frame to secure tough catches. The IMG Academy graduate committed to Ohio State as a five-star prospect in the 2023 class after being recruited by current South Florida Bulls head coach and former Buckeyes wide receiver coach Brian Hartline. As a freshman, Tate saw playing time in spots, recording 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown.
Tate played under head coach Ryan Day in Columbus for his entire college career. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver won a championship with the Buckeyes in 2024. Tate saw increased action in his junior season. While catching passes from redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, he hauled in 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
"Tate brings a raised level of competence to the Browns' wide receiver room they sorely need," McDonald wrote in the mock draft. "The execution on every level of their passing game needs major improvement, and Tate would provide a high-floor starter to pair with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Quinshon Judkins as the core young offensive talent. Tate might not have the profile of a dominant No. 1 wide receiver, but he can undoubtedly be a heavily targeted option."
TRENDING: Top-#NFL wide receiver prospect Carnell Tate's college highlights from when he was at Ohio State.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) March 27, 2026
Which legendary receiver does he remind you of…?
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The 2026 NFL Draft will begin April 23 and will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 11:59 AM.