Last year, the Cleveland Browns made an eye-opening move, not only signing wide receiver Isaiah Bond to an undrafted free agent contract in August, but fully guaranteeing the deal, which covers three years and a bit more than $3 million. The reasons were obvious–Bond had been in legal trouble when the draft had gone down and despite projections that he’d be a second-rounder, was not picked at all. Once Bond was cleared of his legal charges, he was a free agent. The Browns wanted him and had to overpay to get him, and gave him a fully guaranteed deal. A year later, with Utah’s Logan Fano, the Browns are again leading the way.
That’s because, as things stand, the Browns have given Fano–a pass-rusher and the brother of Spencer Fano, the team’s first-round pick at No. 9–a $310,000 guarantee on the standard three-year, $3.1 million deal he signed. That means Fano is getting $23,000 more in guarantees than anyone else among the UDFA class this spring, according to Spotrac.
That would be a record undrafted contract guarantee for Fano, if not for the exception of the Bond contract.
Logan Fano More Than Just Spencer Fano’s Brother
Certainly, a record free-agent deal for a player who is the brother of your first-round pick sounds like the Browns engaging in some nepotism. But there is something to be said for paying Logan Fano that kind of money–he was expected to be drafted and was still among the best available players when the draft ended. There is some sense, then, in sweetening the pot to ensure that he comes to Cleveland and can be a crutch for Spencer Fano to lean on as both adjust to the NFL.
It’s worth noting that Logan Fano was projected to go in the fifth round of Dane Brugler’s seven-round NFL mock draft at That Athletic. Jordan Reid had him going in the sixth round at ESPN.
It’s also fair to say that Logan Fano is a strong bet to make the team as a UDFA, because teams rarely give that kind of money to a free-agent rookie without finding a place for him on the 53-man roster (or, at least, the practice squad).
Browns’ Logan Fano Has ‘Pro Size and Strength’
As for what Logan Fano can do for this Browns team, here’s the NFL.com scouting report (which projected him as a fifth/sixth rounder) on him:
“An edge defender with pro size and strength, Fano is capable of playing standing up or with a hand down. He plays with a blend of hurry and heart that keeps him keyed in on the action. However, urgency can become impatience, which pulls him out of position and opens him to counters/misdirection.
“He’s quick but lacks upfield juice to challenge the edge. His rush plan is too predictable and overly reliant on feet over hands. He’ll shine on special teams and has toughness to defend a pro run game, but Fano needs to improve as a rusher to become a three-down player.”
Spencer Fano Shouts Out Browns Legend
As for Spencer Fano, he quickly endeared himself to Browns fans by declaring his devotion to former Browns all-time great tackle Joe Thomas, the owner of the longest consecutive-snap streak in history, at more than 10,000.
Said Fano: “I mean I am pretty starstruck, hoping I’ll be able to meet him. Whenever anyone asks me who the greatest tackle of all time is, I say ‘Joe Thomas’. I know a good amount him for ten years and what he did with this staff. So being able to learn from him and to follow him for what he did. I am really, really excited to be able to learn from him.”
Browns UDFA Signing Given League-High Contract