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The Cleveland Browns, thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars trading up for Travis Hunter int he 2025 NFL Draft, have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Their first pick is the Browns' own selection at No. 6 overall, while the Jaguars' first-rounder comes in at No. 24. It's a great setup for the Browns, as they will be able to land two instant-impact players in this class, and their positions are very likely set.
With huge needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver, the Browns' first-rounders are very likely to be in both of those positions. For ESPN's Field Yates, the "ideal" first round for the Browns resolves both holes, and specifically lands an 875-yard WR and a Utah OT.
Browns 'ideal' Round 1 involves 875-yard WR, Utah OT
With the sixth overall pick, Yates named Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate as their "ideal" draft pick. Then, down the board at 24th overall, Utah Utes left tackle Caleb Lomu would round out an "ideal" first round for Cleveland in the draft.
"In an unpredictable draft, Tate is one of the surer prospects," Yates writes. "The field-stretching wideout is an excellent route runner who dropped just one pass in 2025. Simply put, the Browns need his offensive firepower."
Taking Tate with the sixth overall pick might be one of the earlier spots he could go at, but there's a good reason why the Browns could take him: they desperately need WR help.
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Coming off an 875-yard, nine-touchdown season on 51 receptions, the Ohio State Buckeyes star wide receiver would be a fantastic new number one option. Tate is a great option at sixth overall, and certainly fits the description of an "ideal" first-round pick.
Then, down the board at No. 24, the Browns' "ideal" pick would be Lomu, the Utah left tackle. "He surrendered six pressures and zero sacks at left tackle in 2025," Yates writes.
Landing a new left tackle who can stop pass rushers would be huge, as the OL last season for Cleveland was very leaky, leading to limited opportunity to properly scout Shedeur Sanders in his starts to close out the year.
If the Browns could come out of Round 1 with both Tate and Lomu, they would instantly fill both their massive needs at wide receiver and left tackle on the first day of the draft. This would be an "ideal" haul for the Browns, just as Yates described.
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