Browns Draft Breakdown Rounds 1-3
Round 1, No. 9: Spencer Fano, LT, Utah
Plenty of Browns fans, including myself, were understandably disappointed when Ohio State’s Carnell Tate was selected by the Titans. In terms of consolation prizes, Cleveland couldn’t have done better. For the second straight year, the Browns have traded down in the 1st round. They selected Utah OT Spencer Fano with the ninth overall pick. This past season, in 382 pass blocking snaps, Fano, who won the Outland Award for the nation’s best offensive lineman, allowed just five pressures.
The former Utah Utes tackle projects to be an immediate starter due to his ability in pass protection. He’ll join a Cleveland offensive line that gave up a QB pressure rate of 45.5%, the highest in the league.
The only knock I have on this pick is that while Fano’s athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect, he probably wasn’t the best tackle available. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa was the number one-rated offensive lineman by many outlets, including ESPN and NFL.com.
Not to throw cold water on this selection, but the last time Cleveland had its pick of multiple blue-chip offensive tackles was in 2020, where they drafted Jedrick Wills Jr over the likes of Austin Jackson and future five-time Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs. Here’s hoping history doesn’t repeat itself with Fano.
Round 1, No. 24: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
It was clear this season that Cleveland needed help at the wide receiver position. After multiple draft misses and underwhelming free agent signings,
With the 24th pick of the first round, Cleveland selected KC Concepcion. The shifty slot receiver provides Cleveland with something they haven’t had in a while, a true YAC threat. He averaged 6.8 YAC, all while forcing 14 missed tackles. Concepcion has had a well-documented history of dropped passes in his career. Concepcion had a 6.7% drop rate, which ranked near the bottom of pass catchers in college football last year. If he can clean up his drop issues, I see him in a Zay Flowers-type role for the team.
Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
With their first selection of the second round, the Browns added to their revamped receiver room by drafting Denzel Boston. For his first two seasons playing for the University of Washington, Boston rarely saw the field. Due to playing alongside upperclassmen WRs Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk, Boston only managed seven catches for sixty-six yards. As a starter in 2025, he recorded 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In my opinion, what makes the Boston pick so good is that he’s a perfect complement to KC Concepcion. While the smaller, quicker Concepcion does his best working out of the slot, getting into open space, Boston uses his size (6’4 209) to dominate from the outside. He’s a sure-handed physical receiver who should get plenty of red zone targets.
Round 2, No.58: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, FS, Toledo
The past six drafts saw the Browns select a player from a school in Ohio, and this one was no different, as the team drafted FS Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from the University of Toledo. One of the bigger steals of this draft class, McNeil-Warren was ranked by multiple draft experts as a top-30 talent. He had a PFF grade of 92.4, which was the highest among all safeties and second highest among all defensive backs.
The former Toledo Rocket was a second-team All-American and a first-team All-MAC selection last season. While his coverage skills are passable, he’ll make his living in the league as a run-stuffing box safety. With the selection of McNeil-Warren, added with players such as Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and last preseason’s standout Donovan McMillon, Cleveland should have one of the better safety rooms in the league.
Round 3, No. 86: Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Being an offensive tackle for an SEC school is a gift and a curse. You’ll have an opportunity to show your skills against some of the best edge rushers in the country, but one bad game could affect your draft stock. In Austin Barber’s case, he had a one for the ages. In Florida’s week four 26-7 loss to Miami, Barber surrendered a sack, seven quarterback pressures, and four run-stuffs, per Pro Football Focus. Now that was primarily against consensus All-American DE Rueben Bain Jr, but the fact that he struggled mightily against an NFL caliber edge rusher doesn’t bode well for Barber.
While the Third Team All-SEC tackle had his fair share of struggles in pass protection, allowing 17 QB pressures and three sacks, he was one of the better run blockers in the country. Barber earned a 90.0 PFF run blocking grade, second highest among offensive tackles. He’s definitely more of a project than an NFL-ready player, but Barber brings potential as a versatile swing tackle who could move inside to guard.
