Browns NFL draft: ‘Top’ tackle prospect has newly reported ‘minor back issue’

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (OL34) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images Generally, the last two weeks before the upcoming

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What is the story about?

Generally, the last two weeks before the upcoming NFL draft are full of smokescreens, rumors, and a lot of uncertainty. Besides the reports of predraft visits, very little new information is reported, and almost none of it is believable this late in the process, but the Cleveland Browns and their fans need to pay attention.

The rare times that new information hits, it is often something negative. We have seen the cases of OL La’el Collins and Laremy Tunsil have differing impacts on their draft stock.

Both of them had off-field issues or concerns pop up late in the draft process.

For the 2026 NFL draft, OL Francis Mauigoa could see a health issue impact his draft stock, as a back issue led to him returning for a recheck of his NFL combine medicals:

Ian Rapoport added that the belief is that Mauigoa will not fall because of the issue, but “teams will continue to monitor it until Draft night.”

As we saw with the nixed Maxx Crosby trade and the Browns backing out of a contract with AJ Epenesa, injuries or the concern of injuries can play a big role in how NFL teams make decisions. For a large player (6’5 1/2”, 329 pounds), a back injury or the concern of problems could be enough to impact decision makers. As they say, no one “used” to have a back problem. Those tend to linger.

Mauigoa is the Consensus Big Board’s fifth-best player and is expected to be selected in the first 10 picks, potentially the top offensive tackle off the board. With Cleveland having a need at left tackle, their team doctors will pay special attention to the medical recheck information after Mauigoa gets checked out on Friday.

Given the language used in the reporting, what is your concern level with Mauigoa’s back? Does this information change your thoughts on the Browns possibly drafting him high this year?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below