The Browns aren’t doing much to hide one of their main focuses for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported yesterday that the team has hosted several wide receivers for top 30 visits in the past few days. 
Cleveland hasn’t lost much in its receiving corps to free agency and, just this week, added former Ravens return specialist Tylan Wallace to the room. The Browns are set to return Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Cedric Tillman to a passing attack that finished second-to-last in the NFL last year on the arms of three competing quarterbacks. Though things may still change, this year’s group isn’t expected to be dealing with as much uncertainty, with the expectation being that second-year passer Shedeur Sanders will compete with a recovering Deshaun Watson for QB1 honors.
Given the sheer number of returning bodies at the position, Cleveland likely isn’t aiming to build depth. Based on their early reported visits, the aim appears to be adding a starting-caliber receiver that can complement the playmakers currently in the building. We saw yesterday their plans to host Washington wideout Denzel Boston days after bringing in Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (as well as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson). Considering those three pass catchers are three of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s top five receivers, a first-round wideout could easily be in the Browns’ immediate future.
Those three aren’t alone in competition for Cleveland’s favor, though. Per Cabot, USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Alabama’s Germie Bernard, and Louisville’s Chris Bell have all been subjects of the Browns’ pre-draft homework. The team has hosted all of them at some point in the past few days, as well as Miami (FL) offensive tackle Markel Bell, Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas, and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
It doesn’t seem the Browns are looking for any one particular attribute in a potential first-round receiver. The prospects they’ve looked at thus far range in body size, speed, and abilities. Some excel at making contested catches, while others specialize in yards after catch, and others still make route-running an art. Whether they’re looking for an upgrade in the slot, a big-bodied red-zone target, or someone to take the top off the defense, they appear to have no shortage of options or interests.
“[T]he expectation being that second-year passer Shedeur Sanders will compete with a recovering Deshaun Watson for QB1 honors.”
Tell me you’re tanking without saying you’re tanking.
There not tanking…they have Watson under contract and he’s done with his rehab so they kinda have to publicly say Watson is competing with Sanders to stay out of hot water with the Watson camp….Andrew Berry will draft another QB to back up Sanders and Watson most likely ends camp on PUP….
They are full on tanking. Sanders was the worst QB in the NFL in 2025 in a wide number of statistics including EPA per play, passer rating, and QBR. He’s terrible and no non-tanking team would consider him to start. Deshaun Watson was playing terribly before his achilles injury and he will have gone over year and half without taking a snap in a game. If I was a Browns fan I’d take the year off.
It would be impossible to attract a single candidate for a HC job if the owner said “Oh, by the way…your mandate is to tank”.
As opposed to what? Overdrafting Simpson?
This is such a bad class to need a quarterback that the Browns are better served to give Shedeur a year to play through some struggles and take a shot in the dark that he can be their guy with Monken and an improved line and supporting cast. As a Browns fan I’m willing to give Shedeur an opportunity, but whether you believe in him or not there isn’t really anyone else that’s worth investing in this year, so you might as well roll with him.
Reaching for a quarterback just for the sake of doing it won’t accomplish anything other than setting them back another 2-3 years.
I didn’t criticize the decision. I’m calling it what it is. Personally, I wouldn’t waste my time watching a team that hopes to go 0-17.
That’s your call but if you can’t watch your team through good and bad, don’t consider yourself a fan.
Even if you think Shedeur is terrible (and his advanced metrics weren’t good), I still don’t see anyone in this class that’s good enough to burn an asset on. I’d rather roll with him for another year.
They probably are tanking (and my theory is that they don’t really care at all until the new stadium is ready and they need butts in seats), but I’ll still be watching. Even if it doesn’t result in wins, I want to see young guys continuing to grow and develop.
The 2024 Browns were bad and unlikeable, and the 2025 Browns were bad but at least fun to watch. I’ll gladly watch Fannin, Judkins, and that defense while I try to stay optimistic about the future.
Fair enough. You have my sympathy. Cleveland fans seem like a good bunch but you are tortured by a terrible owner.
I appreciate that, and you aren’t really wrong. It’s funny because there’s a frustration in Cleveland that the Guardians are so well-run but their major league payroll is always at the bottom of the league, while the Browns are a perennial dumpster fire but have no problems throwing money at problems lol
With or without Sanders as starter, Watson has his final chance to prove naysayers wrong, and show he can still play some decent football. I am not betting on it, but what if Monken could turn his chickensh*t into chicken salad? A top receiver coming from the draft, will help both QBs and the fans deserve something good coming out of this upcoming season.
If Sanders wins the job, more power to him. Even seven wins could get the fan base excited.
Shedeur did what most rookie NFL QBs do when they don’t get 1st team reps and get thrown in the mix during the season; they scramble too quickly, make bad plays, or turn the ball over. Not surprised at all. But he did make a few good throws and plays that gives you hope. NFL tanking involves taking your best players out. Players can’t tank individually, it’s too difficult and obvious. Plus there’s a new coaching staff that doesn’t want to go 0-17.
Makai or Tate with browns would automatically be WR1s full stop
Ohio State Tate will be on the card for the pick.
Oline and Wr should be focuses
Round 1
Fano Mauigoa Freeling should be 6th
Tyson Boston Conception Cooper Jr at 24th
Interior oline at 39
Has the ‘team’ stated that QB competition is between Watson & Sanders ignoring the 3rd wheel Gabriel ?
I ask because I can
The team always includes Gabriel in the conversation, but the writers know better. I would not be surprised to see Gabriel packaged to move up a few slots in the later rounds. I don’t know who would take him but I’m sure there’s a team out there that would not mind an experienced, young, cheap back-up.
I’m holding out hope that the Falcons would trade literally anything to reunite him with Stefanski and to complete the lefty QB trifecta
Lol of course they yet again won’t be drafting an offensive tackle despite desperately needing one.
You do realize they have 2 first round picks? They are predicted to draft a OT and a WR with those.