The Cleveland Browns made their call on the draft night, but the reaction didn’t follow one direction. They had traded their No. 6 pick to the Chiefs for the No. 9 overall pick, plus a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder. They selected OT Spencer Fano, and that quickly split fans, putting GM Andrew Berry at the center of the debate.

In the 2026 NFL draft at Acrisure Stadium, the Browns selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano from the Utah Utes, with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round.

Posting this news with a picture of Fano on their X account, the Cleveland Browns captioned it:

“Boosting up the front lines. Welcome to Cleveland, Spencer Fano!”

A native of Spanish Fork, Utah, Spencer Fano started his collegiate career with the Utah Utes in 2023 as a freshman. 

Appearing in 37 games, he is known for his elite pass-protection, zero allowed sacks in 2025, and specializing in move-based blocking. He started at left tackle and then switched to right tackle, winning the 2025 Outland Trophy and earning First Team All-American honors.

The Browns needed to fill several roster gaps at offensive tackle as Dawand Jones struggles with repeated knee injuries (ACL/MCL tears). Beyond Jones’ health, the unit faced a massive turnover as six linemen hit free agency in March 2026. 

While the Browns added veterans like Tytus Howard and Elgton Jenkins, the lack of a reliable, long-term blindside protector made offensive tackle a priority. By selecting Fano, Berry secured a durable prospect providing the stability Jones’ injury history could not guarantee.

His ability to reach landmarks quickly and block in space makes him an ideal fit for outside zone or move-based blocking schemes.

With this draft move, fans are divided with mixed reactions pouring in.

Spencer Fano Draws Mixed Reactions From Browns Fans

The moment Spencer Fano was announced, the reaction from the fans came in from every direction, and it didn’t take long for the divide to show. 

Some fans didn’t hold back at all, with one calling it straight, 

“Way to waste the pick. You embarrass Cleveland over and over.” 

Another questioned the value of the pick, saying, 

“We drafted a swing tackle 9th overall.” 

One fan had a simple message, being content with the team's pick, saying,

“I’m cool with it.”

Not everyone saw it in a negative way. On the other side, there was clear support for the decision, especially with the added context around draft capital. 

“Absolutely love this choice, and we got that extra draft capital. Huge W,” one fan wrote, backing both the player and the front office move. 

Another kept it simple and direct, “Love it.”

Different reactions, same moment. The pick landed, and the fanbase split right down the middle.

Do you think Fano would be a good addition to the Browns?

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi