Browns Draft Spencer Fano

   The Cleveland Browns hoped to trade down from their sixth draft position, and they managed to do so with the Kansas City Chiefs by dropping three spots. While they were happy to still land a player that they might have selected at six, the bounty they hoped for did not arrive.

The Browns only received a third (pick 74) and fifth rounder (148) to drop those spots, which had to be less than they hoped for entering the draft, but the Browns were fortunate to see the Chiefs select cornerback Mansoor Delane, Washington tab Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and New Orleans pick Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson in the picks preceding their new position.

Only the dazzling but fragile Tyson was a likely consideration from the Browns, and Andrew Berry picked the player that Cleveland likely wanted all along in Utah tackle Spencer Fano.

Fano is my highest-rated tackle in this draft, but he does come with a few questions.

Fano mostly played right tackle for Utah, and the Browns plan to play him on the left side.

While this can be done, it has been a difficult transition for some players, and others, such as Andrew Berry's previous first-round tackle (Alabama's Jedrick Wills), never made it successfully.

I'm not saying Fano can't make the transition, just that it's reasonable to consider.

Fano is more of an athletic tackle at 6'5, 311 pounds than a massive mauler, which isn't always a bad thing, and can play any position across the line, including center, where he showed his ability there at the combine and at Utah's pro day.

Fano started at Utah for three seasons, didn't allow a sack in 2025, and won the Outland Trophy last season for the Utes, who rank just below Iowa as a program that churns out successful offensive linemen at the next level, so Fano has a background that suggests he's prepared to step in as a starter with minimal development time.

The Browns value versatility from their offensive linemen, and should Fano struggle (as Wills did), he could always move to another position, but he's been drafted as their foundational left tackle, and a move that wouldn't be forced due to an injury crisis would be disappointing.

I was initially disappointed with the return from the trade with the Chiefs, but in hindsight, the Browns received a high third-rounder, which could come in handy on day two of the draft, either in adding another solid player or perhaps as a trade chip, and acquiring that choice, along with not losing the player they coveted, made it a good deal.

Andrew Berry has struggled drafting offensive linemen in his tenure, and I don't think he's missed here.

I'm not saying Fano is going to be an All-Pro, although that's possible, but he is very unlikely to be a bust either- and that is exactly what the Browns need at left tackle.