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Browns Draft Fano, Add Johnson in $49.5 M Deal

4/28/2026

Summary

Browns Draft

The Browns selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They drafted WR KC Concepcion (No. 24), WR Denzel Boston (No. 39), safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (No. 58) and O-lineman Austin Barber (No. 86).
Analysts graded the class from B+ (Chris Easterling) to A+ (Pro Football Focus, The Ringer, CBS Sports).
The Browns signed guard Zion Johnson to a $49.5 million deal after GM Andrew Berry traded down from No. 6 to No. 9.

Summary

Browns Set Roster

The Browns set a 53-man roster with quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and sixth-round pick Taylen Green, while cutting Dillon Gabriel.
Coach Monken announced two-spotting drills on adjacent fields to give developmental quarterbacks extra repetitions.
Quarterback trades yielded fifth-round picks that became Tytus Howard and Jamari Thrash.
Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports mock drafts show Cleveland could take Arch Manning at No. 4 in 2027.

Summary

Browns Stockpile Picks

Browns added three 2027 fourth-round picks from Giants and Seahawks, joining Texans fifth- and seventh-rounders, total ten picks.
A trade with Chiefs sent Cleveland third- and fifth-round picks to move from No. 9 to No. 6 in 2026 first round, adding capital.
General manager Andrew Berry’s trading-down approach produced the No. 2-overall swap for picks No. 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first-rounder.
The Jaguars-Browns deal delivered Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, strengthening Cleveland’s depth.

History

Historical Context

Since the NFL instituted its draft in 1936 to equalize talent, teams have leveraged pick trades for depth. In 2008 the Patriots swapped their No. 5 slot for No. 12, added five selections and later secured a 2009 third-rounder worth $1.2 million. In 2026 the Browns’ GM Andrew Berry traded down from No. 6 to No. 9, amassing 49 picks and signing guard Zion Johnson to a $49.5 million deal.

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Browns Draft

The Browns selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They drafted WR KC Concepcion (No. 24), WR Denzel Boston (No. 39), safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (No. 58) and O-lineman Austin Barber (No. 86).
Analysts graded the class from B+ (Chris Easterling) to A+ (Pro Football Focus, The Ringer, CBS Sports).
The Browns signed guard Zion Johnson to a $49.5 million deal after GM Andrew Berry traded down from No. 6 to No. 9.

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