Cleveland Browns put their money where their mouth is when they signed a player the rest of the NFL forgot to draft
The Browns had to address one of their needs following the 2026 NFL Draft, and they’re paying a whole lot of cash to make it happen.
The Cleveland Browns wasted no time in identifying the first undrafted free agent they wanted to get after the 2026 NFL Draft ended.
Cleveland didn’t take a pass rusher in the draft and it was a bit of a surprise with the need for a fourth EDGE still. The free agent deal with A.J. Epenesa falling through leaves the Cavs with the void of Cameron Thomas’ departure still to fill.
The Browns just happened to go with the brother of first-round pick OT Spencer Fano as their first UDFA signing. Cleveland paid a lot of cash to make it happen.
The Browns paid out more than any other team to a top undrafted free agent
According to Spotrac, the Browns gave EDGE Logan Fano $310,000 guaranteed at signing. If Fano can make the team, he’ll be on a three-year, $3.1 million deal with the Browns.
Fano is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound pass rusher who became a starter in his third college season at Utah in 2024. As a redshirt sophomore, Fano went for 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. The new Browns’ pass rusher was second-team All-Big 12 in 2025 with 44 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Despite a strong finish at Utah, Fano went undrafted.
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein had a fifth to sixth round grade on Fano heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
“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.”
Lance zierlein
NFL Network
Expect to hear plenty about both Fano’s over the next couple of months with the defensive player of the two brothers battling for a roster spot.
