Grading the Browns Final 2026 NFL Draft Class: Cleveland fills biggest needs while throwing a wild card into the big QB question
Grading all 10 picks the Cleveland Browns made happen in the 2026 NFL Draft. Andrew Berry makes a major splash ahead of Todd Monken’s first season as head coach.
We’ve made it through the 2026 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns are walking away with 10 picks after swinging multiple trades during the draft.
Cleveland had to fill its biggest needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver and general manager Andrew Berry did so through the first three picks of the draft. The Browns from there played their board, took the players they had best valued, and walked away with what looks like a strong draft class to pair with last year’s.
Browns’ final draft grades for the 2026 class
Round 1, No. 9: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns’ decision to pick an offensive tackle first was the right choice with five players at the position going off the board before they picked a second time. Cleveland plans to flip Fano back to the left side where he played as a freshman in college, and he should have the ability to do so. Landing the top offensive tackle who is a big, athletic player to take over on the left side was a win for the Browns.
Grade: A
Round 1, No. 24: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Cleveland needed to take a wideout with the second pick as long as they weren’t forcing it. Concepcion fell right into their lap at No. 24 and they should be thrilled with the explosiveness they added to the offense. Drops have been an issue for the former Aggie, but he makes up for it with his ability to make game-breaking plays. It doesn’t take long to realize why the Browns like Concepcion when turning on the tap, he can win all over the field and knows how to get in the end zone.
Grade: B-
Round 2, Pick 39: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
I thought the Browns might have doubled up at wide receiver but I didn’t think they’d be doing it this early in the draft. Boston was a player who had to be in contention at pick No. 24 and he complements Concepcion well as a totally different wideout. Boston can be an X as a player who makes tough contested catches with a 6-foot-4 frame. The pick the Browns made after this one made it totally okay to double up this early.
Grade: B
Round 2, No. 58: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
I would have been okay with the Browns taking McNeil-Warren at No. 24 overall. He’s a player who finds the ball and takes it away, and it’s an exciting idea to add to a Browns defense that’s already ferocious. I’m interested to see how the Browns use McNeil-Warren early on with Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman. There may not have been a better value pick in the draft.
Grade: A
Round 3, No. 86: Austin Barber, OT, Florida
The Browns landed a versatile offensive lineman in the third who Cleveland is open to moving inside to guard or potentially. Barber will get a chance to battle for a spot in the rotation at offensive tackle, but this feels like a nice depth addition for the Browns’ offensive line. Cleveland had to send away two fifth-round picks to make this happen, but Barber has starter upside and he’s started 39 games in the SEC.
Grade: C+
Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Cleveland’s first pick of Day 3 was to add center depth to the roster. The plan with Brailsford is unclear for the Browns, as he’s a center prospect only. It’s up in the air whether veteran OL Elgton Jenkins will play guard or center. If Jenkins plays guard, the former Alabama standout is battling for the starting job with Luke Wypler. Brailsford is a smart player and solid blocker in the middle, but he’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 289 pounds.
Grade: C+
Round 5, No. 149: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
The first head-scratcher pick of the draft for the Browns came with their second fifth-round pick. Jefferson lacks length and strength, though he doesn’t mind putting his nose in there to be a hard hitter. Two Alabama players in a row was a weird trend for the Browns in this draft. A player who is going to start out earning his role on special teams.
Grade: C-
Round 5, No. 170: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
The Browns have a clear need for a second tight end who can play in-line and be a receiver. I expected Cleveland to fill the role earlier, but doing so with Royer in the fifth round feels like a solid move. A player who spent four seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati and becoming a starter. Royer is a good pass catcher at 6-foot-5, 248 pounds, and needs to continue moving forward as a blocker.
Grade: B-
Round 6, No. 182: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
Cleveland taking a superb athlete at the quarterback position on Day 3 is one of the few ways I was okay with them drafting one in this draft. It’s a low-cost, high-reward potential move for the Browns with an incredible athlete who has major turnover issues, but runs a 4.36 40-yard dash with a 43.5-inch vertical. There’s always a possibility the Browns get him to switch positions, but I think it’s more of a move for Monken to have someone to develop.
Grade: A-
Round 7, No. 242: Carsen Ryan, TE, BYU
The Browns used their final pick on another tight end to double up on another position. Cleveland seemingly is going to let Royer and Ryan battle it out for a roster spot with the other likely bound for the practice squad. Ryan didn’t bloom until late at BYU in his final season with his third school when he had 620 receiving yards with three touchdowns. A capable blocker on the move, I’d be interested to see how Todd Monken used him.
Grade: B-
Final Overall Grade: B
Overall, I walk away from this class feeling like Berry got a good haul for the second year in a row. Some of the trades felt like they were out of left field, but the Browns now own four additional picks next year as a result. Cleveland had to fill their biggest needs in the draft and I thought they did a strong job of it by taking Fano, Concepcion, and Boston. The doubling up of the wide receivers was a bit refreshing when you factor in what the Browns have had at the position.
It all comes down to winning games but for the second year in a row, I think the Browns walk away from the draft as one of the biggest winners.
