Browns receive Mel Kiper Jr.'s highest grade for 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After swinging and missing on Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns have been trying to bounce back from the disastrous loss of cap space and draft capital.
Last year's rookie class was great, with multiple studs on both sides of the ball throughout the draft. This year's class was a bit weaker than others, and yet, the Browns still found a way to walk away with a haul.
And according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., the Browns received his highest grade of any team in the NFL for their 2026 NFL Draft class. Headlined by Spencer Fano, the Browns nailed their 2026 draft class.
"Cleveland Browns: A," Kiper writes. "I don't know that Cleveland's 2026 group of draft picks will have the same impact, but this is another good group that should have Week 1 roles. Another good draft weekend for the Browns."
The Browns came into the draft with needs along the offensive line and in the wide receiver room. The secondary of the defense also needed some help, and if possible, some tight end depth, and an upside quarterback couldn't hurt either.
That's exactly what the Browns did, starting their draft with a fantastic trade-down from the No. 6 pick to move back three spots with the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up a valuable third-round pick and early Day 3 pick in return.
The Browns went on to draft Spencer Fano, the Utah OT in Round 1, and down the board selected WR KC Concepcion to give their quarterback room a dynamic yards-after-the-catch target who can get open and do some damage.
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That was a good start, but Andrew Berry's best work came on Day 2, when they took a sliding Denzel Boston at No. 39 overall, and then picked up Emmanuel McNeill-Warren in a draft steal after trading up with the San Francisco 49ers.
With Austin Barber as more offensive line depth, and center Parker Brailsford as another addition to the OL, Cleveland added the beef up front they needed.
Add in a super high-upside pickup in Taylen Green at quarterback, and a pair of depth tight ends in Carsen Ryan and Joe Royer to replace David Njoku, and this 2026 draft class was an incredible one for Cleveland.
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