We may never know what changed, beyond the fact that the team actually had a full complement (and more) of picks, between the first few NFL drafts for GM Andrew Berry and the one that came in 2025. It could be as simple as the number of high draft picks, once depleted by the failed trade for QB Deshaun Watson, but Berry’s rookie class last year likely saved his job.
After being retained while HC Kevin Stefanski was fired, the big question, besides the quarterback position, was whether Berry could
do it again in the NFL draft.
The 2026 NFL draft grades all pointed to a very strong “yes” answer to that question, but that was before the players hit the field. Now, with training camp in full swing, it seems like that early answer is now being solidified into a “yes” poured into concrete.
The cement has not set yet; that will only come as regular season games take place, but so far Berry’s 2026 draft class is creating a ton of excitement:
- OT Spencer Fano has moved into the starter’s role at left tackle and is holding his own against star DE Jared Verse
- WR KC Concepcion is rarely dropping passes, making acrobatic catches, and is a threat any time the ball is in his hands
- WR Denzel Boston just took over as the starting “X” receiver after an entire offseason of just wowing people
- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is impressing teammates and being used as a versatile chess piece that can create problems for any offense
For any draft class, four studs would be a huge win. After the second round, Berry added a number of talented players who need some development. OT Austin Barber has shown flashes of being a bully-type right tackle. OL Parker Brailsford was at least competing for the starting center job before getting hurt, while LB Justin Jefferson has made some plays and seems locked into an important special teams role as a rookie fifth-round pick.
TE Joe Royer has been absent due to personal reasons, while QB Taylen Green is a raw developmental project, and TE Carsen Ryan, the team’s final pick, is fighting for a roster spot.
With preseason games just around the corner, Browns fans will get to see more and more of the rookie class as Berry’s new youngsters get a chance to prove him right, in a big way, for the second straight season.
Based on what they’ve done so far, with games not being played, how do you feel about the Browns 2026 NFL draft class?
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