The Cleveland Browns arguably had a better top 10 than any team in this year’s NFL draft.
Cleveland picked up assets in Rounds 3 and 5 (Nos. 74 and 148) from the Kansas City Chiefs for moving down three spots from No. 6 overall to No. 9 via a trade, staying inside the top 10 by the end of the process.
The Browns needed to fill major roster gaps at offensive tackle and wide receiver heading into Round 1 on Thursday night, April 23 and were able to select the first OT off the board with the 9th pick, landing Spencer Fano of Utah.
Fano was the No. 8 overall player on the draft board of The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who also had Fano as the top offensive tackle/lineman in the 2026 class. He played left tackle to open his collegiate career, starting there immediately as a freshman, before switching to right tackle over the past two years.
“[Fano] moved to his more natural right tackle spot the past two seasons and became just the fifth unanimous All-American in school history (and the first on offense),” Brugler wrote. “He also became the first Utah player to win the Outland Trophy and was the second of Polynesian descent to win the honor (Penei Sewell).”
“Fano has the feet, demeanor and recovery balance of a starting NFL tackle,” Brugler continued. “He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter at right tackle or guard.”
Browns Complete Offensive Line Rebuild by Drafting OT Spencer Fano
GettyNew Cleveland Browns center Elgton Jenkins.
Cleveland spent the offseason rebuilding the entirety of the offensive line through free agency and the trade market.
The Browns inked Elgton Jenkins, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, to a two-year contract who will likely play center. Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler (2020, 2022) but missed eight games last season due to a fractured bone in his leg. He has started 94 of his 96 games played in the NFL and just turned 30 years old.
The team’s other major move on the O-line during free agency was a three-year, $49.5 million deal for former first-round pick Zion Johnson. Johnson spent his first four years in the league with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“[Johnson] struggled this past season as a pass blocker — fifth-lowest pass block win rate among guards — but registered the second-best run block win rate,” Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN wrote. “The latter should be a welcome sight to first-year coach Todd Monken, who wants to replicate the elite run game he produced while he was offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.”
Cleveland also re-signed guard Teven Jenkins, who will likely start on the right side next to offensive tackle Tytus Howard. The Browns traded a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans to acquire Howard this offseason.
Browns Likely to Look at Wide Receiver With Second Pick in Round 1
GettyIndiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
The team now turns its attention to the No. 24 pick in Round 1, which it will make in approximately an hour or two.
Cleveland is likely, though not guaranteed, to look at a wideout in that spot. Both Carnell Tate of Ohio State (Tennessee Titans) and Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State (New Orleans Saints) came off the board inside of the top 10.
However, there are several other quality pass-catchers with Round-1 grades still available.
Browns Land Spencer Fano After Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade With Chiefs