The Cleveland Browns drafted the final piece of their offensive line rebuild in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the ninth overall pick.
We know the athletic testing numbers that make him a top-tier athlete at the position, we know that he won the Outland Award for college football’s best trench player in 2025. However, what did others have to say about his scouting profile? It’s in the rearview mirror now that the pick has been made, but it’s always great to see what other analysts thought.
Let’s take a look at a few:
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler gave rave reviews
Brugler, who releases “The Beast” every year is perhaps the highest regarded analyst in the draft space. He had Fano as his top-graded tackle and the eighth-best player on his big board. Here is what Brugler had to say about Fano in his scouting report:
“An impressive athlete for the position, Fano is quick out of his stance in pass protection and has the bend, balance and sudden hands to neutralize different types of rushers. When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55 and his efficient footwork and hips — particularly on power-play skip-pulls, where he could fit up defenders and take them for a ride. Though he plays like someone just pissed in his Cheerios, he doesn’t have overwhelming power to manhandle NFL size, and his undeveloped anchor could be an issue early in his career.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah
Daniel Jeremiah, a long-timer at NFL Network, has Fano ranked as his OT2 behind Miami’s Francis Mauigoa (who went 10th overall to the New York Giants). Fano fell 13th on Jeremiah’s big board. Here is what Jeremiah had to say on the Browns’ new offensive tackle:
“He has excellent strength and quickness. In the passing game, he is quick out of his stance and easily covers up speed rushers or rides them upfield. While he has short arms for the offensive tackle position, he’s still able to stall bull rushers because of his core strength and knee bend… I love his playing temperament. Overall, Fano is an explosive people mover with upside.”
Daft on Draft’s Cory Kinnan
Cory Kinnan, an independent draft analyst at Daft on Draft, also had Fano ranked as his top offensive tackle in the class. Fano was his seventh overall player in the class. Here is what Kinnan had to say on Fano:
“Despite being undersized with shorter-than-desired arms, it’s hard to see an outcome where Utah’s Spencer Fano does not go on to have a long and successful career (barring an unforeseen injury).
Yes, he is small, and pass rushers with a runway to convert speed-to-power tend to give him fits. However, the core is strong, evidenced by his ability to anchor when he can take that runway away.
The Outland Award winner from this past season, Fano ended his career holding down a stellar post at right tackle, despite a massive scheme change from 2024 to 2025.”
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Draft: What draft analysts have to say on OT Spencer Fano
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
