The Opening Drive 3/18: The Browns Top-30 Visits and Where They Have Been On The Pro Day Schedule

A look at the Browns Top-30 visits so far, which Pro Days they have attended and a look at the rest of the offseason schedule for prospects.

Mar 18, 2026

∙ Paid

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

With the NFL Combine behind us and the first free agency wave complete, teams now shift their focus to preparing for the NFL Draft. Rosters are taking shape, as scouts and front-office evaluators travel nationwide to attend pro days and host players for top-30 visits. In today’s opening drive, we examine the schedule and what insights can be gained from the Browns’ pre-draft actions, along with their top-30 visits to date.

Browns Top-30 Visits

The Cleveland Browns have begun hosting prospects in Berea for their annual Top-30 visits, and while the list is still developing, the early names already provide insight into how Andrew Berry and the front office are shaping their draft board.

The early group of visitors reveals three clear areas of focus: wide receiver, quarterback evaluation, and developmental offensive line depth.

Below is a breakdown of each known prospect Cleveland has hosted so far.

Ty Simpson — Quarterback, Alabama

Projected Draft Range: Round 2–3

Simpson represents the type of developmental quarterback teams often target on Day 2 of the draft. After spending time in Alabama’s pro-style offensive system, he enters the league with experience operating complex protections and reading defenses from the pocket.

He has the arm strength to drive throws into tight windows and shows flashes of good anticipation on intermediate routes. The biggest area for improvement is consistency when progressing through reads under pressure.

Simpson enters the draft after a productive season at the University of Alabama in which he threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. With the Browns continuing to evaluate quarterbacks as they shape the future of the position, Simpson is a name worth watching as Cleveland finalizes its draft board.

For the Browns, the visit is notable given the uncertainty surrounding the long-term quarterback situation. Even if Cleveland begins the season with Shedeur Sanders competing with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel, it makes sense for the front office to continue evaluating additional developmental options.

Carnell Tate — Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Projected Draft Range: Round 1

Tate is widely viewed as one of the most polished receivers in the entire 2026 draft class. His route-running precision, body control, and strong hands allow him to consistently separate from defensive backs at all three levels of the field.

What stands out most is how refined his game already is. Tate understands how to manipulate coverage and position his body to win at the catch point, making him a quarterback-friendly target.

If Cleveland is looking for a potential No. 1 receiver to pair with Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, Tate fits the profile of a receiver capable of stepping into that role early in his career.

Jordyn Tyson — Wide Receiver, Arizona State

Projected Draft Range: Late Round 1 – Early Round 2

Tyson brings a different style to the receiver position compared to Tate. His game is built around explosiveness and vertical playmaking, allowing him to stretch defenses and create chunk plays downfield.

He has shown an ability to track the ball well on deep routes and turn short receptions into long gains with his acceleration after the catch.

For a Browns offense that could benefit from more explosive plays, Tyson’s skill set would add a legitimate vertical element to the passing attack.

Makai Lemon — Wide Receiver, USC

Projected Draft Range: Round 1

Lemon is one of the most versatile receivers in the class. He can line up both inside and outside and consistently wins with quickness and sharp route breaks.

His ability to separate underneath and move the chains makes him a natural fit in modern passing offenses that rely heavily on timing and spacing.

What makes Lemon particularly intriguing is his reliability. He rarely drops passes and consistently creates separation, which is why many evaluators project him as an immediate starting receiver at the NFL level.

Omar Cooper Jr. — Wide Receiver, Indiana

Projected Draft Range: Round 2

Cooper offers a more physical presence at the receiver position. He thrives in contested-catch situations and uses his strength to fight through contact and secure the football.

His ability to win along the boundary and in the red zone makes him an appealing target for teams looking to add size to their receiver room.

While he may not possess elite separation speed, Cooper’s toughness and ball skills give him a strong chance to develop into a reliable outside receiver in the NFL.

Markel Bell — Offensive Tackle, Miami

Projected Draft Range: Round 4–6

Bell is an intriguing developmental offensive tackle prospect. He has the length and athletic ability teams look for in pass protectors, but he still needs refinement in his technique and hand placement.

His movement skills give him upside as a future swing tackle capable of playing both tackle spots.

Given the Browns’ recent efforts to rebuild the offensive line, bringing in Bell suggests the team is continuing to evaluate depth options who could develop behind the current starters.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Safety

Projected Draft Range: Round 2–3

McNeil-Warren told Kay Adams he has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Browns. He is an instinctive, versatile safety who brings a well-rounded skill set to the back end of a defense. He shows strong awareness in coverage, consistently reading the quarterback and reacting quickly to routes developing in front of him. His ability to play both deep and closer to the line of scrimmage gives him scheme flexibility, which is valuable in modern NFL defenses that ask safeties to wear multiple hats. Especially with where the Browns are headed under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenburg.

He is also a reliable tackler who takes good angles to the football and limits yards after contact. While he may not be viewed as an elite top-end athlete compared to some of the highest-ranked safeties, his football intelligence and consistency make him a strong Day 2 candidate with starting upside.

For the Browns, this visit stands out amid continued questions about Ronnie Hickman’s future and whether he will be able to bring the athletic profile to play interchangeably between both safety positions, as Rutenburg used his safeties in Atlanta.

Below you’ll find the latest in the BFB catalog for supporters to dig into. Click the link to become a supporter if you haven’t already, and enjoy all the latest from Browns Film Breakdown.

Latest Podcasts:

Latest Articles:

Latest Film Rooms:

2026 NFL Pro Day Schedule: Browns Attendance, Key Stops and The Timeline To the Draft

The NFL’s pro day circuit is one of the most important phases of the draft process. While every school hosts a workout, not all pro days carry the same weight.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Browns Film Breakdown to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.