Browns win home opener over Carolina

       The Cleveland Browns defense stepped up when they needed it most, and DeShaun Watson threw his second touchdown of the game to Harold Fannin with 1:48 remaining as the Browns won their home opener over the Carolina Panthers 21-18.

Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and the two touchdowns.

Fannin led the offense with seven catches for fifty-one yards.

Mason Graham led the defense with two sacks as the Browns improved to 2-1 and will host Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Brownie Bits

1) The offense still has a long way to go, and while the Browns can't complain about winning, they still have to wonder about DeShaun Watson.

Watson didn't throw an interception and did lead the team to the game-winning touchdown, but...

2) Carolina dropped a few possible interceptions, and one they held onto was overruled by a penalty.

I know there are ifs and buts, but these things tend to even out over a season, and once interceptions start to be completed, things can go off a wagon quickly.

3) Watson has developed a connection with Harold Fannin and Denzel Boston, but he is struggling to gain a rapport with first-round selection K.C. Concepcion.

Concepcion was targeted nine times, but caught only two for nine yards.

4) Concepcion may be struggling, but the highly paid Jerry Jeudy was non-existent, as Jeudy didn't have a single pass thrown to him all game.

Jeudy carries a high dead cap number if he's traded (good luck with that) or released, so unless his attitude becomes disruptive, he'll be around all season, but it looks bleak for anything other than an occasional flash from Jeudy.

5) The Browns traded for tackle Tytus Howard in the offseason and gave him a contract extension after a mediocre year with Houston.

Howard was called for three false starts and seems to be a questionable decision as a full-time tackle.

6) Another offseason acquisition was playing well in Elgton Jenkins, but Jenkins is unlikely to play against Pittsburgh after entering the concussion protocol.

The Browns will likely start Luke Wypler as fifth-round draftee Parker Brailsford is still recovering from a broken hand suffered in training camp.

7) It might be time to reevaluate my opinion on Mason Graham, whom the Browns took fifth overall in 2025.

Graham sacked Bryce Young twice in this game and has four sacks in the three games after finishing with just one as a rookie.

Graham has been giving the Browns the power rush up the middle that many teams covet, but few teams possess.

8) The Browns pay Denzel Ward to be a shutdown corner, and he was just that in shutting down Carolina's second-year standout Tetairoa McMillan, holding the talented McMillan to two catches for seventeen yards.

9) The Browns might be starting to receive benefits from Mike Hall after middling results in his two previous seasons.

Hall didn't get to the quarterback for a sack, but pressured him several times and helped Mason Graham's sacks.

10)  The Browns are surprises at 2-1, and a win over Pittsburgh would start the good vibes rolling.

Before thinking of that, consider the Browns wins came over opponents with a combined record of 1-5.

I'm not saying to not be happy, but let's see where we are after the Steelers  game and a road game against the winless New York Jets.

Super Smith launches Buckeyes past Illinois

    Jeremiah Smith continued to stake his claim as the best player in the nation after a superhuman outing to pace the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 42-19 win over the Fighting Illini of Illinois in Columbus.

Smith finished with four touchdown receptions on 12 catches for 217 yards, while Julian Sayin threw those four touchdowns and ran for another score. 

Sayin finished with 367 passing yards for the game.

Ohio State improved to 3-1 on the year (1-0 Big Ten) and will travel to Iowa this Saturday.

Olentangy Offerings

1) Jeremiah Smith is beyond description.

Short of covering him with two or even three defenders, there isn't much a defense is going to be able to do to stop him.

2) Smith is big and strong to fight for the contested ball, but has the type of speed to run right back defenders.

Physically, he's the best WR prospect for the NFL in years and the best wideout in program history- which says it all.

3) Julian Sayin threw those four touchdowns to Smith and was impressive throwing the ball, but what really impressed me was his scramble for a touchdown.

Sayin is never going to be the runner that Ohio State has seen in the past, but he showed that he can use some movement out of the pocket when needed, which adds an extra dimension.

4) Still have some defensive concerns.

Illinois rushed for 199 yards and while Illinois is a run first club, allowing those numbers is conerning this week against another run first club in Iowa.

5) Ohio State finished with three sacks, but I still don't see a pass rush that will be a factor against better team.

While the Buckeyes have done well in developing defensive tackles in recent years, they have struggled with defensive ends since the times of the Bosa brothers and Chase Young.

6) If there is a player that could break the above narrative, it is freshman Khary Wilder, who does seem to have the potential to solve that problem.

I'd like to see more of Wilder as the season progresses.

7) My hot take- tight end Nate Roberts will be a first or second round draft pick when he moves onto the NFL.

Roberts blocks well enough but has soft hands and will be thought of highly by NFL scouts.

8) The last time Ohio State visited Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, Iowa hammered the Buckeyes 55-24 in a big upset.

I don't think the coaching staff has forgotten that night and between those memories and Iowa coming off a high with a final play win over Michigan, Ohio State will be ready.

My time just seems so limited now that I feel so far behind on my writing.

The Browns play tomorrow and I've yet to recap either of the Browns two wins.

I hope to get the Carolina game finished before tomorrow's game vs Pittsburgh

PPM

    Apologies for a slow week here.

Just so many things to get done and I wish I could have recapped a rare Browns win!

I'll try to do better!

Last Week: 10-6 

Overall: 34-9

College

Ohio State over Illinois 34-10

Texas Tech over Sam Houston 37-15

Boise State over Western Michigan 24-21

UTSA over Colorado State 24-17

Houston over Georgia Southern 34-13

South Florida over Bowling Green 27-10

Jacksonville State over Middle Tennessee 29-21

Appalachian State over N.C. State 34-32

Tulsa over Arkansas 31-24

Wyoming over Hawaii 19-17

Games of the Week

Iowa over Michigan 17-1

Mississippi State over Missouri 35-33

NFL
Panthers over Browns 27-17

Saints over Raiders 35-21

Games of the Week

Jaguars over Patriots 28-21

Rams over Broncos 30-24

PPM

 Another week of football and of course the PPM!

Last Week: 15-1 

Overall: 24-3

College

Ohio State over Kent State 51-0

Texas Tech over Houston 27-24

Boise State over South Dakota 41-21

Georgia over Arkansas 38-13

Iowa State over Bowling Green 19-10

Vanderbilt over N.C State 24-19

Wyoming over Central Michigan 17-13

Middle Tennessee over Nevada 28-21

Georgia Southern over Jacksonville State 20-17

Texas over UTSA 38-16

Games of the Week

Louisville over SMU 37-33

LSU over Ole Miss 45-38

NFL
Buccaneers over Browns 31-10

Ravens over Saints 27-21

Games of the Week

Bears over Vikings 38-29

Broncos over Jaguars 27-25

Browns battered in Jacksonville opener

    The Cleveland Browns were completely overmatched and couldn't score a touchdown until the final minute of the game in a disastrous 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville.

About the only good news in this game was DeShaun Watson's late-game strike to rookie Denzel Boston for a 46-yard touchdown, the Browns' only touchdown.

Cleveland (0-1) travels to 0-1 Tampa Bay next Sunday to meet the Buccaneers.

Brownie Bits

1) DeShaun Watson was lousy other than his late toss to Denzel Boston, but that's not my biggest worry from this game.

After all, I already knew Watson was terrible, and he proved it.

2) My biggest worry was the defense looking so bad.

The defense had been touted by some observers as not taking a step back from 2025 despite trading Myles Garrett.

That could have fooled me, as Trevor Lawrence had all day against an ineffective Cleveland pass rush that, aside from one sack by Mason Graham, couldn't reach Lawrence, who threw four touchdown passes and sat out much of the second half.

3) The Browns crowed about the trading of Myles Garrett as they patted themselves on the back for forcing the Rams to add Jared Verse to the deal.

I like Verse, and I'm not giving up on him, but he was a non-factor in this game, finishing with three tackles, one for loss, and the Browns will need more from him if they plan to improve this season.

4) Deshaun Watson's interception on the first drive was a bad one, as there was no one with an orange helmet in the area. The Browns continued to struggle to get downfield afterward, and only a garbage-time score to Denzel Boston gave the Browns even decent quarterback play.

5)  Todd Monken announced after the game that he is sticking with Deshaun Watson for this week's game in Tampa Bay.

I'm ok with that.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have given Watson the job to start with, but since they did, I don't think it's fair to move away from Watson yet.

6) The Browns revamped their offensive line in the offseason, and it was not an auspicious start, as Zion Johnson was called for two holding penalties, Tytus Howard committed a key false start penalty, and allowed five sacks against DeShaun Watson.

7) The Browns lost their change-of-pace back for at least four weeks as Dylan Sampson suffered a knee injury, which placed him on injured reserve after the game.

Former Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was promoted from the practice squad to replace Sampson.

8) The two offensive gems from the 2025 draft had disappointing starts to their season.

Quinshon Judkins rushed for thirty-three yards on twelve carries, and Harold Fannin caught only two passes for twenty-two yards.

9) Perhaps the only bright spot other than garbage time scores was the impressive kick returns of Rocket Sanders.

Sanders returned one kickoff 74 yards and set up the Browns' first score, a field goal by Andre Szmyt

I'm interested to see if Sanders can continue his success.

10) I'm afraid this Sunday will see another beating for the Browns.

Tampa Bay lost their opener 33-27, scored lots of points, and has a motivated Baker Mayfield ready to ravage the Browns..

Fourth Quarter fade costs Ohio State in Texas loss

    Ohio State dominated their visit to Austin for three quarters, but allowed touchdowns on the final three drives, allowing Texas to slip by with a 24-23 win.

Julian Sayin threw for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown to pace the skill players.

Ohio State drops to 1-1 and will host Kent State next Saturday.

Olentangy Offerings.

1) I know Texas scored on three long drives in the fourth quarter, but I have a hard time blaming the defense, which was simply gassed out on the final drive.

The defense does appear to be down a bit from last season, but that's natural considering the talent on that team.

I'm not concerned.

2) Texas did convert two key fourth downs that, if the Buckeyes had been able to stop one, would have been the difference in the game.

3) Jeremiah Smith had a huge game, but most of his damage came in the first half.

I wouldn't say I would be disappointed in his game at all, but a better second half would have helped the cause.

4) I think Ryan Day erred by allowing Texas to roll so much time off the clock before scoring their game-winning touchdown,

Ohio State only needed a field goal to win, and those seconds would have helped in the final desperation drive.

5) Julian Sayin was okay, not great, and his first-half pass was too high for a wide-open Devin McCuin and cost the Buckeyes a certain touchdown.

6) Devin McCuin was dynamic against Ball State. Still, the UTSA transfer returned to earth against Texas, missing his connection on the above pass from Julian Sayin, and finishing with only one catch for five yards.

Ohio State will need someone to step up as the second receiver to relieve some pressure on Jeremiah Smith.

7) I'm aware of Connor Hawkins ' late-game miss from 45 yards that would have clinched the game, but watching the replay, it looked like the holder didn't have a smooth handling of the snap.

Hawkins hit his other three tries, including one from 48 yards, and I think Ohio State has a top notch kicker.

8) The defeat was the first loss in Ohio State history when leading by seventeen points or more at halftime and lost for the first time in 366 games when entering the fourth quarter with a lead of twenty or more- yuck.

9)  Of all the brickbats that could be thrown at Ryan Day for the loss- conservative second-half playcalling, poor time management late in the game, etc .- one stands out above all.

Fourth and two from the Texas 13 and ahead 10-0, Day decided to go for it rather than take a chip shot for three points.

Day then called a run up the middle by Ja'Kobi Jackson for one yard and turned the ball over on downs.

Day has had a tendency to go for it in such situations and against better teams, especially on the road; taking every point might be a better idea.

10) The Buckeyes fell back in their long-standing trap of rotating their defensive linemen so much that when the game is on the line, their best players are on the sidelines.

Larry Johnson has always been a believer in that, and while I see the point (especially on a hot night in Texas) in keeping your freshest players in the lineup, I don't believe it should come at the cost of your best.

PPM

  The NFL season begins and the Ohio State Buckeyees travel to Texas to meet the Longhorns.

Last Week: 9-2

College

Ohio State over Texas 23-21

Texas Tech over Oregon State 41-13

Boise State over Memphis 42-37

N.C. State over Richmond 49-10

UTSA over Texas State 31-21

Wyoming over Northern Colorado 43-13

Nebraska over Bowling Green 37-16

Marshall over Middle Tennessee 27-17

Clemson over Georgia Southern 34-24

Utah over Arkansas 40-31

Games of the Week

Iowa over Iowa State 28-14

Virginia Tech over Old Dominion 45-10

Pro

Jaguars over Browns 27-10

Lions over Saints 31-27

Games of the Week

Bills over Colts 24-17

Chiefs over Broncos 28-25

Ohio State rolls past Ball State

    Unlike that school up North that won over Western Michigan in the biggest injustice since the 1972 Olympic Gold Medal game in basketball, Ohio State dispatched its MAC opponent with ease as the Buckeyes scored two touchdowns in each quarter in a 56-3 thrashing of Ball State. 

Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, with Jeremiah Smith catching eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State will travel to Texas next Saturday for a rematch of last season's Buckeye win.

Honestly, I fell asleep during the game, so I'm not offering a recap.

I do plan on watching an edited replay, and if time permits, I may write about the reserve quarterbacks who each played and threw a touchdown in the win: Luke Fahey and Tavian St.Clair

PPM

       It's a new year of football and a new year of the Pigskin Picking Machine, or as we call it- the PPM.

First, with the shakeup in Western football, with schools leaving the Mountain West to join the returning Pac-12, we have some changes in the schools in the PPM.

The PPM has always featured one team from each conference in college football and two games of the week. Perennial favorite Boise State has moved to the Pac-12 from the Mountain West, where the Broncos will replace Oregon State.

This leaves a gap as the Mountain West will need a team; the team selected will be the Wyoming Cowboys.

We also change the "face of the PPM" every season, and this year, I didn't have a standout choice.

So, I selected one person from Entertainment, News, Sports, and Wrestling (not listing the runners-up, as they could be future choices) and asked Fred Landucci to make the call.

Fred selected CNN host and rabid Alabama football fan, Kaitlan Collins, and Collins will be this season's Face of the PPM.

Thanks for the help, Fred!

College Football

Ohio State over Ball State 56-3 

Texas Tech over Abilene Christian 72-10

Arkansas over North Alabama 39-14

Oregon over Boise State 41-35

Wyoming over Colorado State 24-21

UTSA over UT-Rio Grande 45-21

Georgia Southern over Charleston Southern 37-24

Bowling Green over Tarleton State 23-19

Middle Tennessee State over Murray State 17-12

Games of the Week

LSU over Clemson 35-20

Ole Miss over Louisville 39-34

Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams, acquire Jared Verse

     The Cleveland Browns finally ended their saga with the greatest defender in the team's history as the Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, who cemented their position as Super Bowl favorites with the addition of Garrett.

The thirty-year-old Garrett finished last season with twenty-three sacks to set the record for sacks in a season, and finished with one hundred and twenty-five for his career after the Browns selected him first overall from Texas A&M in the 2017 draft.

While the return for the best pass rusher in the league may not seem to be enough, the Browns didn't come away with nothing as they acquired defensive end Jared Verse and three draft choices from the Rams.

Cleveland added Los Angeles's first rounder in 2027, their second rounder in 2028, and their third rounder in 2029.

Verse was the first round pick of the Rams in 2024 and won the league's defensive rookie of the year award after entering the league from Florida State.

Verse finished last season with seven and a half sacks, forced three fumbles, and thirty-five solo tackles, eleven of those for losses.

Verse isn't Myles Garrett, but he's very good and should be the leading pass rusher on the Browns this season.

I wish the Browns could have received different choices in the three draft years.

The first rounder will almost certainly be in the final few spots of the round in 2027, and the Browns may have gained more value if the first rounder were in 2029, when the Rams may be in decline, but the 2027 option could be vital if the Browns need draft capital to move up in a quarterback-heavy draft.

The Browns could not have made a better trade, considering Garrett's age, with essentially two number-ones (I'm counting Jared Verse, who is young enough to be considered one) added to the coffers.

Jared Verse is the key to the trade.

I don't expect him to come close to Myles Garrett's production, but he has to be at least very good and lead the team's pass rush.

Should Verse meet those expectations, and I believe that he will, this trade could be as good as expected under the circumstances.

Browns Draft Carsen Ryan

  Earlier in the day, I commented that the Cleveland Browns were looking for a blocking tight end, and despite drafting Joe Royer in the fifth round, the Browns still lacked a pure blocker at the position.

Cleveland used their seventh-rounder obtained from Seattle to take a player to fit that role in Carsen Ryan of BYU.

Ryan, who also played for UCLA and Utah, is 6'3 and 255 pounds and looks like he fits the blocking position better than Joe Royer, although he's not the pass catcher that Royer is.

Ryan caught 45 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns in his only season with Brigham Young, and in his seasons with UCLA and Utah, Ryan was used mostly as a blocker, catching only twenty-nine passes in three seasons.

Ryan is noted for his work ethic and toughness and loves to do the dirty work along the line.

Considering that Ryan showed improved pass-catching skills in 2025, Ryan could make the Browns as their third or even fourth tight end.

Ryan does show some stiffness as an athlete and isn't known for his agility, but if he can establish himself as a physical blocker, the Browns would be pleased with their seventh-round pick. 

Browns Draft Taylen Green

    The Cleveland Browns' trade with the Denver Broncos allowed them to use the first pick of the sixth round, and the Browns took a flyer on Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green.

Green has the physical tools to be a star at 6'6 235 pounds, a plus arm, and excellent running ability.

However, Green's been inconsistent as a thrower (completed sixty percent of his passes in 2025) and threw eleven interceptions last season with nineteen touchdowns.

Green rushed for 777 yards for Arkansas last season after rushing for over six hundred in 2024, so he can move around well, but his decision-making has been questioned during his college career.

Green played the last two seasons in Fayetteville after starting for two seasons with Boise State.

The tools are all there for a successful quarterback, and Todd Monken did a great job with the mobile Lamar Jackson when he was the offensive coordinator for Baltimore, so Green certainly makes sense as a developmental quarterback.

Green might find a place in gadget plays, and with his size, Green could see some time as the designated short-yardage quarterback.

There is a lot to like about Taylen Green, but he's very raw and has many edges to refine, so he's far from a sure thing. I do like taking a shot with a late pick and seeing what can be done with him.

This could be the end of Dillon Gabriel with Cleveland, whether it's now or sometime in training camp.

If you take a quarterback like Green, he needs time to develop and learn, and if you are only giving him a training camp to impress you, why bother?

Taylen Green has NFL size and skills; Dillon Gabriel doesn't. Gabriel looks to me to be the odd man out in the Browns quarterback room.

Browns Draft Joe Royer

  The Cleveland Browns were expected to be in the market for a tight end during the draft and they drafted one with their final pick in the fifth round, but it was a mild but pleasant surprise when the choice for Joe Royer of Cincinnati.

The Browns were looking for a blocking tight end, and Royer is better known for his receiving, having broken Travis Kelce's records at Cincinnati for catches in a season.

Royer finished 2025 with 29 catches for 419 yards and four touchdowns, and at 6'5 and 250 pounds, Royer catches the ball well and will gain yards after the catch.

Royer isn't very fast, and he's going to beat very few defenders deep, but his hands are soft, and I can see Royer becoming a dependable checkdown tight end for the Cleveland quarterbacks.

Royer played three seasons at Ohio State in limited action, catching four passes in fourteen games, before transferring to Cincinnati before the 2024 season.

This is an interesting choice, with Royer's size suggesting he could grow into a solid blocking tight end with reliable hands on short routes, and Royer looks like a complement to Harold Fannin at tight end.

That's not what the Browns may have been looking for immediately, but Royer could develop into a contributor beyond those limitations.

Browns select Justin Jefferson

  The Cleveland Browns took a big name with the second of their fifth round draft picks- Justin Jefferson, but this JJ is a linebacker from Alabama.

Jefferson is a little small at six feet and 220 pounds, but he is very fast and, at worst, should be a terrific help on the coverage units on special teams.

Jefferson transferred to Alabama from junior college and played three seasons for the Tide, starting for Bama last season.

Jefferson finished with seventy-seven tackles, three sacks, and an interception for Alabama in 2025.

Jefferson's speed could make him a productive tackler, and as mentioned, a special-teams standout.

Jefferson's ability to cover the field could be a nice fit for the Cleveland defense, although his slight frame is a question as far as durability.

Cleveland would trade the final of these fifth-rounders, peddling number 152 to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos' fifth rounder (170) and the first pick of the sixth round (182).

Browns draft Parker Brailsford

    The Cleveland Browns didn't use their basket of fifth-round picks to move up into round four, but they did pick some players, added a sixth-round pick, and a pick for 2027 with those selections.
 

Cleveland used the first of the four (146, 148,149, and 152) on a position where the Browns needed some depth at center as they nabbed Alabama center, Parker Brailsford.

Brailsford played his first two seasons at Washington before transferring to Alabama for his final two years.

Brailsford is a little undersized at 6'2 and 289 pounds, but is prized for his strength and agility.

The biggest question with Brailsford is whether he can handle the bigger and stronger defensive tackles in the NFL.

If Brailsford can bulk up enough to deal with that problem, the Browns could have a steal at a position where Andrew Berry has been trying to find a young answer for several years in the draft, having drafted Nick Harris, Dawson Deaton, Luke Wypler, and now Brailsford in an attempt to draft a long-term center.

Cleveland then traded pick 148 to the Seattle Seahawks in return for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

I like those types of moves, and with the Browns trading for the Giants 2027 fourth-rounder on day two of the draft, Cleveland now owns three picks in the fourth round of the 2027 draft.

Cleveland would make their pick at 149, and I'll write about that player shortly.

Browns Draft Austin Barber

   It wouldn't be an Andrew Berry draft without taking a player with appealing physical tools, and Berry did that when he traded back into the third round (86th overall) to select Florida tackle Austin Barber.

The Browns had traded both of their third-round choices to trade into the second round to land Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren earlier in the evening

The Los Angeles Chargers traded the pick for the Browns' fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-round picks (105, 145, and 206), which dropped the Browns out of those rounds.

Austin Barber has the physical tools at 6'6 and 314 pounds to play in the league, and like first-rounder Spencer Fano, possesses more of an athletic frame than that of a thicker mauler.

Barber has a basketball background, which helps with his footwork, and is known for his physical play.

Barber played both tackles at Florida, but many see his long-term future in the NFL at guard, where his toughness and attitude could shine.

I don't love the pick as I liked two guards who were taken shortly after Barber, a little better (Oregon's Emanuel Pregnon and Iowa's Gennings Dunker), but Barber's versatility helps his value, so I can see the reasoning behind choosing the former Florida Gator.

I still think Cleveland will trade into the fourth round to land a particular target as the Browns own FOUR fifth-rounders (their own, 49ers, Chiefs, and Bengals) all in the range between 146th overall and 152nd.

Cleveland has one other remaining choice, the seventh-rounder originally owned by the Seattle Seahawks.

Browns Draft Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

    The Cleveland Browns had a tough decision to make early in round two between Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

The Browns opted for Denzel Boston, but never took their eyes off McNeil-Warren, and when he was still available late in the second round, Cleveland swung a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to move up to select the Toledo safety.

Cleveland sent their third rounder and the third rounder acquired from Kansas City on the first day of the draft to San Francisco for the 49ers' second and fifth rounders to make the deal.

McNeil-Warren was a player connected to the Browns throughout the draft season and appeared in many mock drafts as the Browns' pick at number 24 and, especially, 39 entering the draft.

McNeil-Warren finished last season with 77 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in the final of his three years with the Rockets.

McNeil-Warren is noted as a strong hitter who can play inside and outside the box and can be an asset in run coverage.

McNeil-Warren will play as a strong safety rather than a free safety, as he lacks the speed to help in deep coverage, and while I think he'll be able to cover tight ends, he could struggle if the Browns force him to cover speedy receivers from the slot.

Both Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman are eligible for free agency at the end of the 2026 season, so this is a position that needs some new blood.

I liked the Browns' choice to move on a player who slid a little more than they should, and doing so at a position of future need was a good idea.

McNeil-Warren should see plenty of time in 2026 and will likely start in 2027.

Browns Draft Denzel Boston

    The Cleveland Browns second round pick in the NFL Draft satisfied both schools of thought in draft selections, as those who push for positional need and others who prefer the best player available were pleased with the selection of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.

I had Boston rated above the Browns' first-round choice, Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the Browns devote their high second-rounder to another pass catcher!

Boston, a 6'3, 212-pound receiver, is a different type of player than Concepcion, and their skills should complement each other.

Boston is a bigger target in the red zone, has the speed to get deep, is a skilled route runner, and, unlike Concepcion, doesn't come with a reputation for dropping passes.

Boston is noted for winning jump balls, fighting for the ball in traffic, and his physical play sees him bullying corners with the ball in his hand, running over them, and breaking tackles.

I thought Boston was the best of the second-level tier prospects at his position behind Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon, and thought he was a first-round talent.

Boston caught 62 passes for 881 yards and eleven touchdowns for the Washington Huskies last season, so he was a productive player who brings skills that the Browns don't currently have on the roster.

I love this pick and give Andrew Berry credit for not taking the easy way out and being satisfied with K.C. Concepcion as their positional upgrade!

Browns Draft K.C. Concepcion

 The Cleveland Browns had a second first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which would complete the 2025 draft-day trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Browns didn't trade down this time and addressed another glaring need, but this choice has a boom-or-bust quality to it that could affect the future of the front office.

The choice of Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion will have a major effect on the upcoming season, and Concepcion will be given every chance to start on opening day.

Concepcion is a receiver who doesn't have a true role but can line up inside or in the slot, is terrific in open space to make his man miss, and has the speed and playmaking ability to be a threat to score with every touch of the ball.

Concepcion spent last season with Texas A&M after playing two seasons for N.C. State, catching 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns.

Concepcion could make a mark in the return game, returning two punts for scores last season.

Concepcion's size is average (5'11), but he's not a tiny player who will have his plays limited.

The issues with Concepcion are pretty clear.

He drops passes (nineteen in three seasons), and he's noted by various scouts as not being a natural pass catcher, which is not what you hear from first-round receivers often.

That's a major concern for a team that already employs Jerry Jeudy!

I preferred Indiana's Omar Cooper, who the Jets selected later in the opening round, because he's a better receiver consistently, but on a team without instant strike capabilities, I can see why the Browns picked Concepcion.

K.C.Concepcion has the playmaking ability to be a star in the league, but he will need to find consistency and simply catch the ball.

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.