Browns score a touchdown with their 1st Round picks

Photo via Utah Athletics

Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion selected by the Browns on opening night of NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns scored big on the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team selected Spencer Fano a left tackle from Utah with their No.9 pick. Cleveland then took wide receiver KC Concepcion from Texas A&M at the No. 24 pick.

There had been a lot of buildup to this year’s draft for Browns fans as many of them hoped that they would draft local product wide receiver Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. However, Tate was taken by the Tennessee Titans in a surprise selection at the No.4 pick.

Cleveland had the No.6 pick and ended up making a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs who took Cleveland’s pick at 6. In exchange the Browns got new picks at No. 9, No.74, and No.148.

With that No.9 pick Browns chose to go with the offensive tackle in Fano instead of going for a wide receiver or another Ohio State player like safety Caleb Downs.

The Browns need to build their team in the trenches to  help protect their starting quarterback of the future. So, the selection of Fano is a good step in the right direction. NFL draft projections had Fano as one of the top one or two offensive tackles. With the Browns, adding other free agent offensive lineman like Zion Johnson in recent weeks this only helps steady the offensive line.

Cleveland definitely needs to fill many gaps. They have many glaring needs, especially on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver.

Drafting Concepcion is another good foot forward in giving their offense a boost. It’s only the third time in recent Cleveland draft history that they’ve taken a wide receiver in the first round. The team drafted wide receiver Corey Coleman back in 2016 and Braylen Edwards in 2005.

Concepcion was considered a first or second round pick by most NFL draft predictions so the Browns taking him at pick No.24 was a good selection. He has exceptional speed and the ability to separate from his defender.. He will give the Browns offense and their quarterback a new weapon to hopefully open up the field.

He collected over 2200 yards receiving and 25 touchdowns in his time at Texas A&M and North Carolina State. This past season he caught 61 passes for 919 yards.

He also took back kicks and punts for the Aggies, and he could be used that way by the Browns as well next season.

So, the Browns’ first day at the draft was considered a success. Let’s see what the team does in round two and three beginning on Friday night followed by rounds 4-7 on Saturday..