When everyone is giving the Cleveland Browns 2026 NFL Draft high grades and words like “a potential home-run class” are being used by a long-time NFL draft analyst, it’s fair to say hopes were high. The 10-person class followed a very good 2025 NFL Draft by GM Andrew Berry and was once again full of top-level athletes.
Many wondered if Berry’s new rookies really could live up to the billing or even the previous draft classes’ performance. Others, like our two different roundtables, were more interested
in which of the rookies would have the biggest impact this season.
So far, so great.
On offense, four rookies are starting and playing well: LT Spencer Fano, RG Austin Barber, WR Denzel Boston, and WR KC Concepcion. If you are keeping track, those are four of Cleveland’s top five picks this year. The fifth, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, had a breakout game in Week 4.
It is no surprise that those five made Dane Brugler’s (author of the NFL Draft’s “The Beast”) NFL All-Rookie Team through four weeks of the season. The draft expert had a lot of positives to say about the Browns rookies, starting with Boston:
I don’t think there is much debate over the top rookie receivers through four games. And Boston is at the top of the list. The second-rounder leads all rookies with 284 receiving yards, and he and Zay Flowers are the only NFL players with multiple catches of 50-plus yards in 2026.
Boston is one of the best move-the-chain players in the league — 76.9 percent of his catches have resulted in a first down or touchdown, which ranks fifth in the league
Both rookie receivers were first-team selections. As were both offensive linemen:
Before the draft, much was made of Fano’s lack of length, which can show when he attempts to sit down against power (see his NFL debut vs. the Jaguars). But his fluid athleticism allows him to recover and stay out of compromised positions. The Browns’ left tackle played at a high level in Week 4.
The last line of my scouting report on Barber suggested that he “might be better suited for a move to guard.” So far, so good. Barber was a college tackle, but playing inside has helped mask some of his timing issues that showed out in space. His run-blocking tape against the Steelers was outstanding.
The lone defender from Cleveland’s 2026 NFL Draft class to make the list, McNeil-Warren “had a case for the first team” but was honored on the second team by Brugler:
Meanwhile, McNeil-Warren has seen his defensive role grow each week. His pass breakup versus DK Metcalf last Thursday was a thing of beauty, and he has yet to miss a tackle in run support.
Getting five top-level starters out of any draft class is impressive. It will be interesting if the Browns see much production from their five Day 3 rookies this season (C Parker Brailsford, LB Justin Jefferson, TE Joe Royer, QB Taylen Green, TE Carsey Ryan) or if they are mostly developmental players for now.
Through Week 4, only Ryan (2 offensive snaps, 60 on special teams) has played during the regular season.
How impressed are you by the Browns 2026 NFL Draft class so far? Are there any of the top players that you expected more from? Any of those top 5 surprise you that they made this list?
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