Browns Nab Utah OT Fano at No. 9 in 2026 NFL Draft Trade-Up Thriller

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns transformed draft night in Pittsburgh on April 24, 2026, by trading their No. 6 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 9 selection, immediately drafting Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano to anchor the line. Fano, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound powerhouse, allowed just one sack in 1,200 pass-blocking snaps over two seasons with the Utes, earning consensus All-American honors and positioning him as the top tackle prospect. Berry, praised for acing the draft, followed with Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion at No. 24, a dynamic playmaker with 1,500 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season.

The haul continued aggressively: Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in Round 2 at No. 39, providing deep-threat speed after a junior year with 1,200 yards and 12 scores. Later that round, at No. 58, the Browns selected Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a local standout from nearby Glass City who intercepted five passes and forced four fumbles in his senior campaign, bringing Mid-American Conference grit to FirstEnergy Stadium. Ohio State fans nearby watched Carnell Tate go No. 4 to Tennessee and Caleb Downs No. 11 to Dallas, but Cleveland's picks drew the loudest cheers from the Dawg Pound contingent.

Analysts hailed the draft as a coup for new head coach Todd Monken, addressing offensive line woes and weapons shortages post-2025 season. With Shedeur Sanders under center, Fano's protection and the receiver trio of Concepcion and Boston could propel the Browns toward an AFC North crown. The 10-player class wrapped with BYU tight end Carsen Ryan in Round 7 at No. 248, deepening a revamped offense primed for Berea training camp.