Browns Pass on Carnell Tate Over Lack of Predraft Testing?

Concerns over Tate's measurables could impact his draft stock with the Browns.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:21pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements of a football player, with sharp planes of color and form capturing the essence of the sport without any identifiable elements.A cubist interpretation of a wide receiver's dynamic movements on the field, reflecting the Browns' analytical approach to the draft.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Browns may pass on Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate in the upcoming NFL Draft due to his lack of predraft testing, similar to how they opted for defensive tackle Mason Graham over linebacker Tet McMillan last year because of McMillan's limited testing numbers. Tate's film shows promise, but teams are looking for as much information as possible to make big draft decisions, and his testing results could be a key factor.

Why it matters

The Browns are in need of offensive playmakers, and Tate is considered one of the top receiver prospects in this year's class. However, the team's past decision to bypass a player due to limited testing data suggests Tate's measurables could be a major factor in whether the Browns select him. This highlights the importance teams place on predraft workouts and how they can impact a player's draft stock, even for talented prospects.

The details

According to reports, the Browns passed on linebacker Tet McMillan in last year's draft due to his lack of predraft testing. Now, the team may take a similar approach with wide receiver Carnell Tate, Tate's Ohio State teammate and another top receiver prospect. While Tate's film shows he is a talented player, teams want as much data as possible to evaluate prospects, and Tate's testing numbers could be a concern, just as they were for McMillan. The Browns may opt to select a different receiver or position if Tate's measurables don't meet their standards.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 24, 2026.

The players

Carnell Tate

A wide receiver prospect from Ohio State University who is considered one of the top receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Tet McMillan

A linebacker prospect who the Cleveland Browns passed on in the 2025 NFL Draft due to his lack of predraft testing.

Myles Garrett

The star defensive end for the Cleveland Browns.

Jeremiah Smith

Carnell Tate's teammate and fellow wide receiver at Ohio State University.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

A wide receiver prospect from Ohio State University who was selected 4th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft despite skipping predraft testing.

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What they’re saying

“Teams are often looking for as much information as possible to make big decisions in the NFL draft. As Brugler noted, McMillan's lack of testing helped sway GM Andrew Berry toward DT Mason Graham. Could Tate be the next receiver passed over for the same reason?”

— Jared Mueller, Author

What’s next

The Browns will continue to evaluate Carnell Tate and other top receiver prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. Tate's performance and measurables at Ohio State's pro day will be closely watched, as the team looks to add offensive playmakers to complement their defense.

The takeaway

The Browns' past decision to bypass a player due to limited predraft testing data suggests Carnell Tate's measurables could be a major factor in whether the team selects him. This highlights the importance teams place on workouts and how they can significantly impact a prospect's draft stock, even for talented players like Tate.