With the 146th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected center Parker Brailsford (6-foot-2 and 290 pounds) from Alabama. It’s the first pick the Browns made on Day 3 of the draft, after not having any fourth-round picks, and it’s their first of four 5th round picks scheduled to be made.
Parker Brailsford Scouting Report
Here is a scouting report from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who had Brailsford as the 7th-ranked center prospect on his board in this year’s draft class:
A two-year starter at Alabama (and three-year
starter overall), Brailsford was the center (right-handed snapper) in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s zone-based scheme. He was a key part of Washington’s Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2023, which helped the Huskies reach the national championship game. He then anchored the Tide’s offensive line the past two seasons.
A twitched-up big man, Brailsford fires out of his stance to cut off pass-rush angles or reach in the run game. He lacks the mass and power to manhandle defenders but plays stronger than his size would indicate, and his long wingspan is an asset for him. His range can be weaponized on screens/pulls/climbs, though he needs to be more consistent picking off targets in space. Overall, Brailsford will only appeal to certain teams, because of his frame, but he is light on his feet, tough as nails and can handle everything from a mental standpoint. He has the potential to be a starter for a scheme living in an outside-zone world.
How Brailsford fits the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland continues to overhaul the offensive line. This one-season complete overhaul is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in all my years as a fan. Parker Brailsford gives the Browns more options to consider at the center position. They have Luke Wypler and Elgton Jenkins on the roster already, but it’s possible that Jenkins ends up playing guard.
React to the Brailsford pick
What do you think, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments sections below.
