Despite starting 33 games at left tackle for the Florida Gators throughout his collegiate career, pick No. 86 in the 2026 NFL Draft, Austin Barber could be starting his NFL career on the opposite side of the line.
The third-round pick began his stint with the Browns last week when he and other draftees participated in rookie minicamp. Cleveland traded up for Barber, signaling that the franchise has plans to utilize him sooner rather than later.
The Browns have endured years of instability and injury-plagued seasons at the position, a huge reason they decided to move up and select Barber. The former All-SEC selection has the combination of size and excellent run-blocking ability that marks perennial starters.
Barber could be less of a long-term project and more of an immediate development piece. The offensive line in Cleveland is undergoing a rebuild, injuries, poor performance and expiring contracts have paved the way for the front office to reset. The unit ranked in the bottom half of the league in both run and pass blocking.
Landing in Cleveland could prove to be a great scenario for Barber, with the organization valuing his upside. The 6-foot-7-inch, 318-pound tackle faced off against the SEC’s best pass rushers while at Florida, so the NFL transition should pose manageable challenges.
The Browns used a first-round pick on Spencer Fano out of Utah. The ninth overall selection is projected to get the nod at left tackle. The fact that Cleveland used two of its top three picks on offensive linemen speaks to the state of a struggling unit — one that Barber and Fano could help bolster.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Austin Barber a potential longterm solution at RT for Cleveland Browns
Reporting by Michael Long, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
