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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Due to recent and today) time constraints, I don't have time to write as much as usual about the Cleveland Browns' persons of interest in the NFL Draft.
I'm going to try to stick to the two positions that need the most bolstering and add a few other notes as well.
The Browns would likely like to trade down from their number six position (they also pick at 24 with a choice obtained from Jacksonville in last year's draft), and I'm open to that.
Assuming the Browns don't trade down, Andrew Berry has to be looking at wide receiver and tackle, though I'm usually a proponent of the best-player-available theory.
I wouldn't be against the Browns taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who I think is a dynamic playmaker in the Ed Reed mold and Grant Delpit has only one year on his contract, so while it's not an immediate need, I wouldn't be at all upset.
My favorite wide reciever is Ohio State's Carnell Tate, who may not be a true number one but instantly becomes the Browns best wideout as soon as his name is announced.
I also like Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson a lot and he's more talented physically than Tate, but has struggled with injuries throughout his career.
USC'S Makai Lemon is a catching machine and I like him as well, but he's more a slot reciever and you can find one of those later in the draft.
Indiana's Omar Cooper is my preferred choice of the next level over Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Washington's Denzel Boston, but I'd be ok with any around the late first round area.
The Browns need tackle help and my two favorites are Utah's Spencer Fano and Alabama's Kadyn Proctor.
Fano is likely to be off the board should the Browns trade down, so that has to be a consideration.
Proctor is a massive physical specimen and has the highest upside but Andrew Berry swung and missed on an Alabama tackle with superior measurements before (Jedrick Wills over Tristan Wirfs), is he willing to take that chance again.
Miami's Francis Mauigoa is ranked as the top tackle by some but I see him more as a long term guard.
Utah's Caleb Lomu might be a consideration with the later first round pick and Georgia's Monroe Freeling is rising up the draft boards with his frame and talent but will need time to develop.
It's the Browns and Andrew Berry and I never have a firm grasp for a bunch who always thinks they are above the curve and smarter than the rest of the class, so I could see them go in any direction.
