Browns urged to avoid selecting 315-pound prospect in 1st round of 2026 draft

The Cleveland Browns are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch during the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Thanks to last year's draft trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns own two picks in the first round. First, the Browns will pick at No. 6, and then they'll also pick at No. 24. The team has plenty of needs on both sides of the ball and can't really afford to miss on either of these picks. 

While most are focusing on who the Browns SHOULD draft, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine recently identified one player each team SHOULDN'T draft. For the Browns' first pick, Ballentine recommends avoiding offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. 

Freeling has been a popular mock selection for the Browns at No. 6 and is thought by many to be the best or second-best tackle prospect in this class. However, Ballentine notes that No. 6 may be high for Freeling given his relative lack of inexperience. 

That's pretty high for a player who simply doesn't have that much experience. Freeling only had one full year of starting at Georgia and he's ranked just 48th on our big board as B/R scout Brandon Thorn gave him a 7.6 grade.

If this were a weak tackle class then reaching on Freeling would be more defensible, but Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa are both on the board and there are intriguing tackle options that could be on the board when the Browns are back on the clock at No. 24.

As Ballentine mentioned, this class may not have the most top-tier tackle talent, but it's deep nonetheless. The Browns don't have to reach for a tackle at No. 6, especially when they have any other needs. 

Freeling played in 14 games for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2025 and earned a 71.4 Pro Football Focus grade, which ranked 81st out of 631 qualified tackles. 

Freeling isn't a bad prospect by any means. The Browns just need someone to come in and start right away, and Freeling may have some growing pains. As Ballentine mentions, the Browns would be better off taking a tackle with their second first-round pick. 

So, who could the Browns take at No. 6 instead? Most mocks have the team selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Tate checks many boxes, as the Browns desperately need a WR1. 

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