After an incredible showing in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry have successfully added multiple key playmakers for the upcoming season.
Berry and the front office made it a point of emphasis to attack the offensive side of the ball in this year’s draft, as Cleveland’s first three picks were massive offensive upgrades. This included Utah tackle Spencer Fano, and a pair of dynamic wide receivers in Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion and Washington’s Denzel Boston.
Despite taking a swing on the defensive side of the ball midway through round two against Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the Browns eventually shifted their focus back to the offense in round three. After a few trades, Berry would receive the No. 86 pick in the draft and use the selection to take his second offensive tackle, Florida’s Austin Barber.
How Barber fits with the Browns in 2026 and beyond
Barber, as a four-year starter for the Gators, was an intriguing prospect leading up to this year’s draft cycle. A former basketball player in high school, the 22-year-old offensive tackle displayed his athleticism throughout his college tape and ended up posting a Relative Athletic Score of 9.81 out of 10 at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Standing at a massive 6-foot-7, 318 lbs., Barber possesses a unique frame that is paired with his stout athletic ability on the line of scrimmage. However, the former 2025 third-team All-SEC tackle does tend to struggle with his anchor at times, especially when matched up against defensive ends with a strong bull rush. In addition to his issues with his anchor, Barber should be viewed as a developmental tackle for the Browns, as he must improve his technique at the NFL level.
Still, there are plenty of reasons as to why the Browns ultimately decided to trade back into the fourth round for the young lineman. While Barber spent the majority of his time as a left tackle with the Gators, he did begin his college career as a right tackle, logging a total of 487 snaps on the right side in 2022. This will allow him to become an excellent swing tackle in the future for Cleveland, since the struggling franchise tends to deal with its fair share of injuries on the offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: How Austin Barber fits with Browns offense in 2026 and beyond
Reporting by Dylan Feltovich, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
