Cleveland’s decision to move back in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and still land Spencer Fano is starting to look like a clean win for Andrew Berry.
The Browns general manager picked up extra draft capital before using the ninth overall pick on the offensive tackle, who had been viewed as the team’s likely target anyway. That move drew praise at the time, and after Fano’s preseason work, it’s looking even sharper.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic put Fano among the biggest rookie standouts after what he saw this summer. Baumgardner said, "After playing mainly right tackle at Utah, Fano has had no trouble adjusting to the left side.
He’s such a perfect fit for Todd Monken’s offense, and though he’s still feeling his way around NFL power, Fano will be a day-one starter. I loved this pick - and still do."
Fano only needed one preseason outing to start backing that up. Against the Chicago Bears, he logged 33 offensive snaps, gave up two pressures and avoided allowing a sack.
He also showed up in the run game, and the battle for the starting left tackle job was basically over before it could really begin. Concerns about his arm length are already fading fast.
The rookie has also earned notice from the players lining up against him every day. Jared Verse, the star edge rusher who faces Fano in practice, has seen the growth up close.
"Going against him, he’s gotten so much better in these past couple of weeks. And because he’s getting better, it’s getting to the point where I’m starting to learn things from him," Verse said.
There’s no easing him in, either. Fano is being pushed straight into the starting role, where he’ll be responsible for protecting Deshaun Watson’s blindside. He’s doing it behind an offensive line that has been completely overhauled this offseason, leaving him without the kind of built-in continuity most rookies get.
And the opening stretch won’t be gentle. The Browns are set to see several dangerous edge rushers in the first month, which gives Fano a tough runway as a first-year starter.
Even so, he’s already given Cleveland plenty to like. For now, every strong rep makes Berry’s draft-day maneuvering look smarter.
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