The Browns may not be done tinkering with their offensive line after all.
Todd Monken had sounded earlier this week like Cleveland’s Week 1 group was already lined up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with rookie left tackle Spencer Fano set to work alongside Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins and Tytus Howard. But after Saturday’s practice, that certainty looked a lot less firm.
The new wrinkle is rookie third-round pick Austin Barber, a player the Browns clearly value more and more. Cleveland traded back up into the third round to get the former Florida lineman, and while Barber played mostly left tackle with the Gators, the Browns have spent this offseason trying him at guard. The early returns have been eye-catching, with Barber flashing on multiple pancake blocks during the preseason.
Monken had already said Teven Jenkins has the inside track to start at right guard this season. The sixth-year veteran played in all 17 games for Cleveland last year and made four starts, giving the Browns a proven option if they want to lean veteran in Week 1.
Still, Barber’s rise is hard to ignore. Fano, the No. 9 overall pick and the first offensive lineman taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, was always the clean fit at left tackle.
He was a versatile, high-end college prospect at Utah and handled himself well through the preseason. Barber, though, is the name forcing a real conversation.
Monken said he was brought in to win games and develop talent, and if both Fano and Barber turn into hits, Cleveland’s rookie class is in a strong place. It would also ease some pressure on general manager Andrew Berry heading into next offseason if Barber proves to be a real answer at guard. That matters because Teven Jenkins is on a one-year deal and looks more like a bridge than a long-term fix.
At the same time, there’s still a path where the Browns stick with the veteran. If Monken, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and offensive line coach George Warhop decide to open with Jenkins next to Deshaun Watson, that would be understandable too. Watson is expected to be on a short leash, especially if Cleveland carries four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster.
Even so, Monken’s latest shift says plenty. The Browns really like Barber. He may not be the Week 1 starter at right guard yet, but it sounds like it won’t take long before Cleveland gives him a serious look.
In Other News...
Browns Have A Low-Risk O-Line Gamble Worth Watching
The Giants decision to cut Evan Neal puts a former first-round pick back on the market at a time when teams looking for offensive line help are always willing to kick the tires. Neals career has been uneven since he entered the league, with 29 games across three seasons and the entire 2025 season lost, but that kind of pedigree still tends to draw attention from clubs that believe a change of scenery can help.
For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious enough to make this a story worth watching. The Browns have spent enough time searching for stability up front to at least consider whether Neal fits as a low-risk swing, even if no official move has been reported. It is the kind of depth gamble that does not require much to make sense, but it also only matters if a team believes the upside is still hiding somewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Browns 53-Man Roster Leaves One Big Quarterback Question
The Browns got through roster cutdown day with a few notable choices that will shape the early weeks of the season, but the biggest takeaway might be what they did at quarterback. Cleveland carried four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster, then moved Dillon Gabriel to injured reserve because of a back injury, leaving the room in a more unusual spot than most teams would prefer as the opening week approaches.
Elsewhere, the front office made a clear statement about the future by keeping all 10 members of its 2026 draft class in the organization, with nine on the active roster and one on the reserve/non-football illness list. It gives the Browns a deep look at a young class right away, but it also leaves the quarterback picture hanging over the roster in a way that could matter well beyond the first few weeks. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Left One Roster Question Hanging After Waiver Day
Waiver day gave the Browns a little roster movement, but also a clearer look at where the depth chart still feels unfinished. Cleveland used its No. 6 priority to claim rookie cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. from the Bills, then opened a spot by releasing veteran edge rusher Julian Okwara, a move that left the team with only three defensive ends on the roster.
The more interesting part may be what Cleveland did not do. The Browns passed on young tight ends Justin Joly and Cameron Latu, both of whom were claimed elsewhere, even while keeping their preseason look at Mike Hall Jr. as an edge defender. With the roster now trimmed and a few decisions already made, the remaining question is whether the Browns are truly set at that spot or still leaving themselves room to adjust. [Read more 🡒]