The Browns rookies are here! The Browns rookies are here!
The highly-touted Browns draft class of 2026 receives uniforms and locker-room assignments and take the field for the first time in a three-day minicamp starting Friday.
Ordinarily, this annual orientation is not a particularly significant event on the NFL calendar unless a franchise quarterback is the keystone of the class.
But the last two Browns rookie classes have been rather extraordinary, and this one has the potential to outshine the 2025 class, which included, ultimately, five starters and the NFL rookie defensive player-of-the-year.
The 2026 Browns draft class might add another five starters to the foundation of a young, dynamic roster being laid by GM Andrew Berry.
As the newest draft picks convene for the first time – along with perhaps two dozen undrafted rookies and tryout invitees announced by the team on Friday – here’s a look at the real possibilities of each in the coming season.
1. Spencer Fano
Unassailably the Browns’ No. 1 target in the draft, the versatile Utah offensive linemen was instantly tabbed as the new franchise left tackle. Whether he is the next Joe Thomas or the next Jedrick Wills, or mostly likely someone in between, Fano has a full year to grow into the important role of blind-side protector of the next franchise quarterback hopeful.
2. KC Concepcion
The highest-drafted wide receiver in Berry’s seven drafts, Concepcion is a dynamic target from the slot before he gets the ball and even more so as a yards-after-catch specialist. He had a lot of drops in two years at North Carolina State and one at Texas A&M, but also a lot of touchdowns, including two last year on punt returns.
3. Denzel Boston
How good must he be for Berry to take a receiver on back-to-back picks? Unprecedented. He has Josh Gordon size (6-4, 212) but not his speed. He is such a complement to Concepcion – bigger and sure-handed, and able to outwrestle defenders for 50-50 balls. He also had a TD on a punt return.
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Toledo delivered Quinyon Mitchell to the NFL in 2024 and he blossomed as a first-team All-Pro in his second season with the Eagles. The Rockets’ newest defensive product is a towering (6-3 ½, 201) free safety who could begin his career as a fly-chasing center fielder the Browns haven’t had in over a decade. McNeil-Warren’s nine punch-out fumbles outpaced his five career interceptions at Toledo. He could evolve into a clone of Nick Emmanwori of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks if he adds upper-body muscle. A crazy stat is McNeil-Warren was called for one penalty in 1,861 defensive snaps in three years.
5. Austin Barber
A three-year starter at left tackle at Florida, Barber could challenge Dawand Jones as the No. 1 swing tackle as a rookie. Almost 6-7 and 318 pounds, Barber could move inside eventually if his feet don’t prove quick enough for the tackle position.
6. Parker Brailsford
He could be one of the most important picks. If he is good enough to win the starting center position – which the Browns envision — he would solidify the total rebuild of the offensive line, enabling Elgton Jenkins to camp at his best position at left guard. If it takes an extra year, so be it. He was a respected team leader at Alabama.
7. Justin Jefferson
A typical Berry linebacker selection – under-sized (6-0 3/8, 223), fast, fly-to-the-ball pursuer from the SEC. No doubt he will start off as a special teams corps player. Hopefully, his body holds up better than his former Browns comp – Jacob Phillips of LSU (2020 draft).
8. Joe Royer
Part of the 2020 OSU recruiting class that included C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, injuries blunted his time with the Buckeyes. Transferring to his hometown Cincinnati, he had two injury-free seasons. The favorite to claim TE2 behind Harold Fannin in the first post-David Njoku season.
9. Taylen Green
If you take a flier on a late-round quarterback, why not one with freak athletic skills? Green (6-6, 227) rewrote the Combine record book for quarterbacks with a 4.36 40 time and 43 ½ in. vertical jump. He is a dual threat QB who can make any throw and turn any third-and-long into his personal showcase with his speed. He needs, um, refinement as a quarterback. The Browns could start him out as a Wildcat QB weapon.
10. Carsen Ryan
Mostly an in-line tight end in three years at UCLA and Utah, he expanded his game a final season at Brigham Young with 45 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns. Prime candidate for the TE3 role.