The Cleveland Browns made 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. But none of them were a fullback. For most teams, that wouldn’t be an issue. But new Browns head coach Todd Monken deploys a fullback on a lot of plays in his offense.
Given that fact, the Browns addressed the roster hole the first day after draft weekend.
Browns analyst Tony Grossi reported Monday the team signed veteran fullback Michael Burton.
Burton spent the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Last year, he posted 73 yards from scrimmage while playing 16% of Denver’s offensive snaps in 17 games.
On special teams, Burton also played 294 snaps, which was 62% of the team’s snaps on that unit.
The veteran fullback could be a key addition for Monken’s offense during his first season in Cleveland. Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams wrote Monken used a fullback on 41% of his offensive plays with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
Browns Sign Veteran Fullback Michael Burton: Report
Cleveland added Burton, along with its undrafted free agency class, after the 2026 NFL Draft. According to NFL.com, that included two more running backs for the Browns — Davon Booth and TJ Harden.
Burton will play in Cleveland’s backfield, but he won’t possess the typical running back role. He has never had more than eight carries in a season in any NFL campaign he’s played.
Last season, Burton had 10 receptions for 65 yards. Both of those were career highs.
More than likely, Cleveland will primarily use Burton as a blocker. He’s done that throughout his career for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, then Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs, in addition to the Broncos.
The Lions drafted Burton at No. 168 overall in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has yet to spend more than two seasons with any team in his 10-year NFL career.
In 147 games, Burton has 79 rushing yards on 22 attempts. He has also caught 31 passes for 196 yards.
Burton has scored two rushing and two receiving touchdowns.
RB Depth for Todd Monken Offense After 2026 NFL Draft
The fullback is still a key position for Monken’s offense. Not only does he use it a lot, but with the Ravens, Monken’s unit featured one of the best fullbacks of recent memory.
Baltimore fullback Patrick Ricard made three straight All-Pro teams in Monken’s offense from 2023-25.
Before Monken arrived in Baltimore, Ricard was a four-time Pro Bowler. But he made second-team All-Pro during 2023, his first campaign with Monken.
In 2024, Ricard was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro fullback.
Ricard received those accolades despite fewer touches than Burton has recorded. Ricard had nine catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns over the past three seasons. He also had one carry for three yards.
The fullback played an intricate role in Baltimore’s offense as a blocker. Under Monken, the Ravens owned the No. 1 or 2 rushing offense each of the past three seasons.
The new Browns coach will likely try to bring the same type of offense to Cleveland. Establishing that kind of rushing attack would help whoever plays quarterback for the Browns next season.
Burton could be a key cog in that rushing offense.
Quinshon Judkins is projected to be Cleveland’s starting running back. In addition to the new undrafted rookie running backs, the Browns also have running backs Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall on their offseason roster.
Browns Fill Key Offensive Role in Todd Monken’s Offense: Report