Carsen Ryan’s path to the NFL draft did not follow a straight line, but it ended in a long-awaited milestone for BYU. The tight end was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 248 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, becoming the first BYU tight end taken in 16 years. For Ryan, the pick capped a rise built on a single season in Provo, a productive bowl performance, and steady interest that intensified as teams took a second look at his game.
A rare BYU draft moment
The selection matters for more than one player. It is the first time since 2010 that BYU has had a tight end drafted, when Dennis Pitta went to the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round. That gap underscores how uncommon this moment is for the program and how unusual Ryan’s rise has been within the broader draft picture. In a class that included multiple tight ends, Ryan’s profile moved late but clearly enough for Cleveland to use the No. 248 pick on him.
Ryan’s final season at BYU provided the numbers that helped separate him from the pack. He finished with 45 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns, production that came after a career that began at UCLA, moved to Utah, and then shifted to BYU for his lone year in Provo. At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, he gave BYU a dependable option in both phases of the game, and he played a key role in helping freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier during a 12-2 campaign. That combination of blocking value and passing-game output shaped the appeal of carsen ryan to NFL teams.
Why the Browns moved now
Cleveland did not enter the draft empty at tight end. The Browns had already added to the room in free agency, bringing in Jack Stoll, re-signing Blake Whiteheart, and tendering Brenden Bates. They also had Harold Fannin Jr., who led the team with 72 receptions in 2025, plus Sal Cannella and Caden Prieskorn on reserve/futures contracts. Even with that group in place, the Browns used a late-round pick on carsen ryan, signaling that they saw value in adding another player with a more balanced profile.
The decision also fits the way evaluators described him. Dane Brugler wrote that Ryan is “more coordinated than explosive” and offers “an appealing mix of pass-catching talent and blocking toughness, ” adding that he has the type of talent that can stick on a roster. Lance Zierlein of NFL. com described him as a combination tight end with good size, adequate strength and plenty of aggression, while noting that his route-running and hands could still sharpen. Pro Football Focus called him “the best late-round prospect” at the position. The common thread is clear: Ryan’s ceiling may not rest on one standout trait, but on usefulness across roles.
Carsen Ryan and the late rise in draft interest
The interest in carsen ryan did not happen overnight. He was not widely projected early, and he did not receive an invitation to the NFL combine in February. His pro day in March helped change that conversation. He ran a 4. 66 in the 40-yard dash, completed 23 bench-press reps, and posted a 33. 5-inch vertical jump. After that workout, his name began appearing more often on draft boards, especially because teams were already intrigued by his blocking and receiving versatility.
That versatility became more visible after the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where he caught eight passes for 120 yards in BYU’s 25-21 win over Georgia Tech. The bowl game pushed his season totals higher and added another proof point for scouts looking for a tight end who could contribute in multiple ways. His post-bowl training in Los Gatos, California, where he worked with California Strength, was aimed at improving explosiveness and speed. Ryan said he felt quicker and leaner, a detail that helps explain why his stock kept climbing as the draft approached.
Bigger implications for BYU and the Browns
For BYU, the selection is a reminder that one strong season can still carry weight when it comes with pro-ready traits. Ryan’s journey from UCLA to Utah to BYU, followed by a late draft selection, gives the program a concrete NFL result at a position that had gone unrepresented for years. For Cleveland, the pick adds another layer to a tight end room that already had depth, but not necessarily the exact blend Ryan offers. If he develops as evaluators believe he can, he could become the kind of late-round addition teams value precisely because he can help in more than one way.
Ryan’s draft slot also fits the reality of how NFL teams often operate on the final day of the event: they chase players whose production, physical profile and versatility suggest a path to a roster spot. In that sense, carsen ryan is not just a late-round name, but a case study in how one season, one bowl game and one strong pro day can change a player’s trajectory. The open question now is whether that momentum can turn into staying power once he reaches the Browns’ next stage of evaluation.
