The Cleveland Browns
went heavy on offense in the 2026 NFL Draft, with eight of their ten picks on that side. Much of the hype centered on their ninth overall pick, Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano. However, Cleveland would go tackle again in the third round, taking Florida's Austin Barber. Barber has been moved inside to guard during training camp, and from the sounds of it, the decision was the right one.The staff over at ESPN went through and dug into every single draft pick from all 32 NFL teams, and their section on Barber highlighted how well the move to guard has helped his development:
The Browns drafted Barber to develop him into a future starting tackle, but they have given him reps at guard and have been impressed by his versatility.
He could be a top reserve as a rookie.
Having offensive linemen who can play multiple positions across the line is both valuable for the team and valuable for the player, as it extends their shelf life in the NFL. The camp reports have been positive for Barber, as he seems to be lining himself up to be a key rotational piece for Cleveland in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns rookie offensive tackle moving inside has proven valuable
