While the headlines are almost always about the quarterbacks, the meat and potatoes of a good team is almost always about the offensive and defensive lines as well as that team’s first-round picks. In OT Spencer Fano, the Cleveland Browns have both to evaluate this season. Can the first offensive lineman taken in the 2026 NFL draft solidify Cleveland’s left tackle position as a rookie?
(WR KC Concepcion is the other Browns first-round rookie, and he looked very good in the team’s first preseason action)
Cleveland DE Jared Verse had rave reviews for Fano this offseason, but practice is different than a game, even if it is preseason. For the Browns game against the Chicago Bears, HC Todd Monken had positive regard for Fano’s performance:
I thought Spencer (Fano) played good for a rookie. I don’t think the moment was too big for him. It ended up being about eight plays, maybe a little more, but I thought they played fine, and I expect us to take a big step forward.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger was even more effusive in his praise of Fano:
