- Secondary value highlights the class: Cleveland secured a massive steal in Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Ranked No. 21 on the PFF Big Board but taken at pick 58, he posted the highest PFF grade in the class at 91.9.
- Building through high-end collegiate production: The Browns finished 4th in the NFL in total WAA added, selecting seven players with 2025 PFF grades above 80.0, including Arkansas QB Taylen Green and BYU TE Carsen Ryan.
All 257 picks from the 2026 NFL Draft have been made, reshaping depth charts across the league and setting the foundation for the season ahead. But draft weekend is only the starting point — the real evaluation comes from how each class aligns with the board, positional value and projected impact.
This class features a wide range of outcomes. Using PFF's Big Board as a baseline, along with wins above average (WAA) added and an emphasis on premium positions, we can begin to separate sound process from questionable decisions before a single training camp snap is played.
With that framework, here's a look at how the Cleveland Browns approached the 2026 NFL Draft — where they found value, where they prioritized need and how much immediate impact this class is positioned to deliver.
Cleveland Browns: A+
Picks: 10 | WAA added: 2.065 (Rank 4/32)
- Pick 9: T Spencer Fano, Utah Utes
- Pick 24: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M Aggies
- Pick 39: WR Denzel Boston, Washington Huskies
- Pick 58: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo Rockets
- Pick 86: T Austin Barber, Florida Gators
- Pick 146: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Pick 149: LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Pick 170: TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati Bearcats
- Pick 182: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks
- Pick 248: TE Carsen Ryan, BYU Cougars
Highest-graded pick (2025): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo Rockets (91.9)
2026 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Draft PicksDraft selections compared to Big Board Rank054108162216269323377431TSpencer FanoRANK12PICK9WRKC ConcepcionRANK35PICK24WRDenzel BostonRANK31PICK39SEmmanuel McNeil-WarrenRANK21PICK58TAustin BarberRANK149PICK86CParker BrailsfordRANK226PICK146LBJustin JeffersonRANK431PICK149TEJoe RoyerRANK160PICK170QBTaylen GreenRANK246PICK182TECarsen RyanRANK303PICK248OVERALL · PICK & BIG BOARD RANKStealBoard rank better than pick #ReachPicked before board rankEvenPick # matches board rankFano: The Browns traded back with Kansas City and still had their pick of the top offensive linemen on the board. Fano can move along the offensive line, giving Cleveland the flexibility to field its “best five” after adding several veteran offensive linemen in free agency and overhauling the unit. Fano has played primarily right tackle over the past two seasons, earning 80.0-plus PFF grades in both years, after playing left tackle in his first season at Utah.
Concepcion: The expectation was that Cleveland would come out of the draft with an offensive lineman and a wide receiver to bolster an offense that needed more talent. That’s exactly what happened. Concepcion isn’t going to come in and be a traditional “X” receiver for Cleveland, but he can work as a “Z” and in the slot while bringing after-the-catch ability to the Browns’ offense.
Boston: Boston is a smooth-moving “X” receiver with the size and skill set to develop into a starting outside receiver at the next level. He is less comfortable and productive against zone coverage, but in single-coverage situations, he is often the player to bet on thanks to his elite hand strength.
McNeil-Warren: McNeil-Warren is a big, explosive safety with a knack for creating turnovers. He projects as a potential impact starter in a box role.
Barber: Barber, a three-star recruit from Jacksonville, Florida, developed into a multi-year starter at left tackle after beginning his career on the right side. At over 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he has a prototypical frame with solid athleticism, flexibility and balance, giving him developmental starting potential.
Brailsford: Brailsford wins with quickness and technique but has outlier size limitations. While he showed high-level play in 2023, his lack of strength and mass were exposed in 2024, particularly in the run game. He projects best to an outside zone scheme.
Jefferson: Jefferson played a career-high 612 snaps at Alabama in 2025 and earned a 67.7 PFF grade, highlighted by a 73.9 coverage grade. In coverage, he allowed 36 receptions for 321 yards on 52 targets without surrendering a touchdown, while recording one interception and five pass breakups.
Royer: Royer is a receiving-focused tight end best kept out of key blocking situations. He brings above-average athleticism and excellent hands, projecting as a TE2 with flexibility to align in receiver roles.
Green: Green is a well-built, athletically gifted prospect whose inconsistent passing will likely hold him back from a shot at a starter role (and maybe even a backup) in the pros. However, he is such a good athlete that a change to tight end or wide receiver could be in the cards.
Ryan: Ryan broke out with the Cougars in 2025, as he earned an 82.6 PFF receiving grade and ranked in the 93rd percentile in separation rate. His smaller frame and limited contested-catch production raise concerns, but his run blocking provides value, as his negatively graded run-block rate ranks in the 78th percentile, which supports his case as a potential late-round option.
Cleveland Browns: Draft Grades SnapshotGradeA+Total WAA Added2.065(Rank 4/32)Avg. WAA0.21(Rank 5/32)Steals3Reaches7Need %100%Premium Positions5 / 10PickPlayerPosBoard #WAA2025 PFF gradeSteal / reachNeed?Premium?9Spencer FanoT120.20883.9Reach3 SpotsYesYes24KC ConcepcionWR350.21778.4Reach11 SpotsYesYes39Denzel BostonWR310.31788.0Steal8 SpotsNoYes58Emmanuel McNeil-WarrenS210.45991.9Steal37 SpotsNoNo86Austin BarberT1490.15683.5Reach63 SpotsNoYes146Parker BrailsfordC2260.02265.6Reach80 SpotsYesNo149Justin JeffersonLB4310.14567.7Reach282 SpotsNoNo170Joe RoyerTE1600.07659.8Steal10 SpotsNoNo182Taylen GreenQB2460.17682.5Reach64 SpotsYesYes248Carsen RyanTE3030.28982.6Reach55 SpotsNoNo