Browns Look to Upgrade with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor
As the NFL draft looms over four months away, the excitement surrounding potential new talent for the Cleveland Browns is palpable. Holding the fourth and 27th overall picks in the first round of next year’s draft, the Browns are in a prime position to make significant upgrades to their roster. However, these draft positions are fluid and could shift as the season unfolds.
Addressing Key Needs
Cleveland’s most pressing concerns lie along the offensive line and at the wide receiver position. The offensive tackles have struggled to maintain consistent performance throughout the season, leaving the offense vulnerable. In addition, the receiving corps has been lackluster, with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. currently leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards. Veteran receiver Jerry Jeudy, who previously logged over 1,200 yards last season, is on pace to finish with just half that total, having amassed only 497 yards through 13 games.
The urgency for a standout pass catcher is evident, and ESPN’s Field Yates recently provided a glimpse into what the Browns might do in the upcoming draft. In his latest mock draft, Yates advocates for building around quarterback Shedeur Sanders rather than seeking a replacement.
Targeting Carnell Tate
With their fourth overall pick, Yates has the Browns selecting wide receiver Carnell Tate from Ohio State. “Tate is the next first-round lock from the Ohio State receiver room, and he would be awesome in the Cleveland pass game,” Yates noted.
Tate, boasting impressive size at 6’3” and 195 pounds, is renowned for his route-running and ability to make contested catches. This season, he averaged an impressive 17.5 yards per catch and, notably, has not dropped a single pass on 58 targets. The Browns have yet to see a wide receiver reach 40 catches or 500 receiving yards this year, underscoring the dire need for an upgrade.
In his junior season, Tate has shone brightly, recording 48 receptions for 838 yards and nine touchdowns, with a touchdown in each of his last four games. If selected, he would be the first wide receiver the Browns have chosen in the first round in a decade, since Corey Coleman in 2016.
Adding Kadyn Proctor
With the 27th pick, Yates projects the Browns to select offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. This decision would beautifully complement the earlier choice of Tate. “When evaluating options for the Browns at No. 4, it came down to wide receiver or offensive tackle. This pick would check off both boxes after they took Tate earlier,” Yates explained.
While some scouts have reservations about Proctor’s ability to handle quick NFL edge rushers, his experience is undeniable. He has started at left tackle for three years and has demonstrated formidable power in the running game. After allowing nine sacks as a true freshman, he has only given up four in the subsequent two seasons.
Proctor, measuring in at 6’7” and weighing 360 pounds, combines size, strength, and athleticism, making him an intriguing prospect for Cleveland. He excels as a run blocker, creating significant lanes for ball carriers. Although he does exhibit some technical flaws, particularly in hand placement and pad level consistency, his youth at just 20 years old offers the potential for growth within a developing Browns squad.
The upcoming draft presents a critical opportunity for the Browns to bolster their lineup, and targeting players like Carnell Tate and Kadyn Proctor could mark the beginning of a promising new chapter for the franchise.
