Browns Sign First-Round T Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees
Friday has expectedly been busy with respect to teams working out rookie contracts. The Browns are among those which have finalized a number of deals with draftees.
Cleveland announced today that eight draft picks have been signed. First-rounder Spencer Fano is among them. The Utah offensive lineman was taken ninth overall after the Browns executed a long-anticipated trade down the board. That swap with Kansas City allowed Cleveland to move to the No. 9 slot.
Eyeing an offensive addition in the top 10, the Browns were comfortable with the trade upon finding out the Chiefs would be taking cornerback Mansoor Delane. That left Cleveland with three targets at the time of the swap: Fano, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was drafted at No. 8, and the Browns went with Fano one pick later to make him the top blocker of the 2026 draft.
After one year at left tackle with Utah, Fano moved to the right side to accommodate Caleb Lomu. Fano thrived in that new role, but his arm length led to questions about the possibility of holding up on the blindside at the NFL level. Nevertheless, he will at least begin his Browns tenure at left tackle. Fano succeeding in that spot or finding another in short order would be critical for a Cleveland O-line which will field five new starters compared to last season.
Denzel Boston is the next highest-drafted rookie to sign with the Browns today. The Browns gave him a fully guaranteed contract worth $12.385MM over four years, including a $5.467MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Washington receiver was on the radar of plenty of teams leading up to the draft, and Cleveland considered trading back into the Day 1 order to acquire him. Instead, Boston remained on the board through to pick No. 39. He will look to contribute right away for a Browns team desperate for improved production and efficiency in the passing game.
Given today’s news, only first-round receiver KC Concepcion and second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren have yet to sign their rookie deals. That comes as little surprise, with many other players selected in the same range as them still unsigned at this point. In any event, the Browns will begin their rookie minicamp with most of necessary work already done on the contract front.
Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Browns Considered Trading Into First Round For WR Denzel Boston
Reloading at wide receiver, the Browns did not stop after choosing KC Concepcion 24th overall. Cleveland made another big move at the position during the draft, tabbing Denzel Boston at No. 39.
The Browns entered this draft with two first-round picks, obtaining the No. 24 overall selection via the Jaguars’ 2025 Travis Hunter trade-up. The Jags’ dramatic improvement from 2024 to ’25 made that pick less valuable, but the Browns came out of Round 1 with a tackle and a receiver — their long-rumored preference.
Cleveland, however, considered joining the Jets in making it a three-first-rounder haul. The Browns pondered trading back into Round 1 to secure Boston, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who notes the team viewed the Seahawks (No. 32) as a potential option. Seattle GM John Schneider confirmed the team was looking to trade down, which the veteran exec has done many times in Round 1 during his lengthy tenure; the defending champs entered the draft with only four picks.
Schneider confirmed potential trade-down opportunities arose, but the Seahawks stayed put and drafted Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. It should be viewed as a safe bet the Browns represented one of those trade-down chances for the Seahawks, but the team viewed the 49ers as a threat to draft Price. San Francisco, after trading down twice in Round 1, held the No. 33 overall pick to start Round 2.
After the Browns stood down on a first-round trade-up — and what would have been their first three-first-rounder haul since 2017 (when the team added Myles Garrett, David Njoku and Jabrill Peppers) — Fowler adds discussions took place regarding a move up the board early in Round 2. We heard before the 49ers’ No. 33 pick the Browns were among the teams interested in climbing, but no Cleveland trade commenced.
Andrew Berry and Co. bet on a defense-heavy start to the second round and was mostly proven right. After the 49ers chose a receiver (De’Zhaun Stribling) and the Cardinals a guard (Chase Bisontis) to start the draft’s second night, four defensive players (EDGE T.J. Parker, DT Kayden McDonald, CB Colton Hood, S Treydan Stukes) respectively went to the Bills, Texans, Giants and Raiders. That left Boston on the board for longer than expected, and the Browns pounced at No. 39.
Boston was widely mocked as a first-round pick, with pre-draft rumors relaying the Washington product was viewed as a top-three receiver in this class by some teams. Those may not have been entirely accurate, though it is worth wondering if teams merely stood down and addressed other positions while still viewing Boston highly. The Browns conducted a “30” visit with Boston in mid-March and will plug him in alongside Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy. The team has no plans to trade Jeudy despite an underwhelming second season in Cleveland.
The Browns had not used a first- or second-round pick on a receiver under Berry or predecessor John Dorsey. Granted, Cleveland went three drafts without a first-round pick (due to the Deshaun Watson trade/fiasco), but the team has underinvested, draft-wise, at this premier position for a long time. After missing on Corey Coleman in the 2016 first round — when Berry worked under then-front office boss Sashi Brown — Cleveland opted to make other moves at receiver, like trading for Jeudy and Amari Cooper.
Browns Draft WR Denzel Boston At No. 39
The Browns have selected Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston with the 39th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Boston, 22, racked up 125 receptions, 1,717 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns over his last two years with the Huskies. He was among the wideouts to visit Cleveland during the pre-draft process, and the team was known to be interested in adding talent at the position. They already selected Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion at No. 24 overall, and they will now double-dip on a second receiver on Day 2.
New Browns head coach Todd Monken is surely excited about his new-look offense, which also added Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano in the first round. Cleveland has clearly made an effort to bolster their offense around an uncertain quarterback room without a clear starter.
Cleveland saw Jerry Jeudy‘s production nosedive after a Pro Bowl 2024 breakout showing, and the Jeudy contract pays out its guarantees in 2026. Jeudy, who is entering an age-27 season, is signed through 2028. For the time being, the ex-Bronco first-rounder will team with two top-40 picks as the Browns rebuild their receiving corps.
Taking over as a key Washington wideout following the 2024 exits of Rome Odunze, Ja’lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, Boston shined with the Huskies for the past two seasons. The big-bodied target emerged as one of Division I-FBS’ top contested-catch players, and his skillset should complement Concepcion and Jeudy’s, giving Cleveland a bona fide boundary weapon.
Sitting 23rd on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Boston is coming off an 881-yard, 11-touchdown season. He was linked to a few teams in the first round but saw others — like Concepcion — end up being more highly valued targets. That said, some teams viewed Boston as a top-three wideout in this class. But that did not prompt any to trade up for him. The Browns may well be waiting for 2027 to add a quarterback — after Deshaun Watson‘s contract expires — but they are set to give either Watson or Shedeur Sanders an influx of pass catchers to join Jeudy and Harold Fannin.
Multiple Teams Looking To Move Up In 2nd Round
Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft was packed with trades. Teams were constantly shuffling the order as they attempted to secure coveted prospects and/or extra draft capital.
The picks are expected to continue flying around on Day 2 with clubs jockeying for top talents who fell out of the first round. Several are looking to move up to the top of the second round, including the Dolphins, Saints, Browns, Steelers, and Jaguars, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He mentions four players are potential trade-up targets: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Tennesse cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy, and Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.
The Dolphins drafted two nose tackles in Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips last year, so trading up for a third in McDonald would make little sense. Their cornerback room was a major liability last year and only saw marginal upgrades in free agency, so either Hood or McCoy could be targets. And of course, trading Jaylen Waddle created a major need at wide receiver in Miami. Boston could fill it.
Saints defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux are both into their 30s and entering the final year of their contract, so the team could certainly target McDonald. They could stand to upgrade at cornerback behind 2024 second-rounder Kool-Aid McKinstry, but trading up to select another wide receiver after taking Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall seems unwise.
The Browns are known to have interest in wide receivers in this draft class, though Boston’s skillset may not be ideal for Todd Monken’s new offense. Cleveland could strengthen the interior of their defensive line, especially with a massive run-stuffer like McDonald. They have more talent at cornerback, but could stand to add a high-upside talent to the room.
The Steelers are likely looking to move up for a wide receiver after getting sniped for Makai Lemon by the Eagles in Round 1. They could move up as high as the 33rd overall pick, the first on Day 2, which is currently owned by the 49ers via trades with the Dolphins and Jets. San Francisco has received multiple calls about their selection and is open to moving it, per Pelissero.
Jacksonville would seem to be set at wide receiver with Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas, and Parker Washington. Travis Hunter is going to spend more time at cornerback in 2026, but he will still be available for some offensive packages. The Jaguars traded for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, this offseason, but they could still add depth, especially with DaVon Hamilton entering the final year of his contract. Similar to the Browns, they have a decent cornerback room right now but could stand to add more long-term upside.
The Jaguars also explored trading into the first round, per Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, though no deal materialized. General manager James Gladstone was aggressive in pursuing Hunter during last year’s draft, and his time under Rams GM Les Snead further indicates his willingness to chase his favorite prospects.
Jets Expected To Draft David Bailey Second Overall; Latest On WR Possibilities
The Jets canceled a scheduled “30” visit with David Bailey, but that is hardly an indication they will pass on the Texas Tech edge defender at No. 2 overall in the draft. On the contrary, “most of the league” expects the Jets to use their first pick on Bailey, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears.
The possibility of the Jets taking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in the second slot exists, but the popular belief is they will settle on Bailey or Buckeyes LB/edge Arvell Reese. Not even two weeks ago, Reese was reportedly the favorite to end up in New York. The draft is still a week away, leaving enough time for this to swing in a different direction by next Thursday.
Will McDonald and free agent additions Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare are the Jets’ top edge options heading into the draft. They make for a decent trio, but the Jets are in need of a game-wrecking pass rusher. They may get one in the 22-year-old Bailey, whose production exploded last season. Spending his first three college seasons at Stanford, Bailey combined for 14.5 sacks over 32 games. He matched that sack total in 14 games with the Red Raiders.
After leading his conference in sacks and tackles for loss (19.5) in 2025, Bailey earned a unanimous All-America selection and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder further demonstrated his athletic prowess at the Combine, where he paced his position in the 40-yard dash (4.50) and ranked third in the broad jump, seventh in the 10-yard split and tied for 10th in the vertical jump.
Even if Bailey does not end up as their choice, the Jets are likely to take a defender with their initial pick. The Jets also have another first-rounder, No. 16, and may use that selection to bring in a potential impact player on offense. Receiver is a glaring weakness for the Jets, who need a high-end complement to the excellent Garrett Wilson. A recent report indicated the Jets are “extremely high on” Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr., but they like him much better as a potential option at No. 33 than at 16, according to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports.
New York spending a first-rounder on Cooper is not on the table, per Pauline, who reports the team has only given Round 1 grades to three receivers: Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Denzel Boston (Washington). Tate should be long gone when the Jets are on the clock again at the midpoint of the first round, but coming away with either Tyson or Boston looks like a realistic outcome.
Texans Hosted Denzel Boston, Malachi Lawrence
With the draft a week away, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston continues drawing plenty of interest. Boston visited the Texans earlier this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Texans also met with UCF edge defender Malachi Lawrence, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports.
Boston and Lawrence are potential first-round picks who appear to have second-round floors. In his latest ranking of 2026 prospects, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com places Boston 27th and Lawrence 46th. As owners of the 28th and 38th overall picks, the Texans could come away with one or both of those players in the first two rounds.
Boston would be another notable receiver investment for the Texans, who drafted the Iowa State tandem of Jayden Higgins at No. 34 and Jaylin Noel at No. 79 last year. The rookies combined for 67 catches, 817 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Houston also counts star No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell among its options, though the latter’s status is up in the air after a gruesome knee injury cost him all of last season.
Unlike the 5-foot-11 Noel and the 5-10 Dell, all of Boston, Higgins, Collins and Hutchinson stand 6-3 or taller, which would give quarterback C.J. Stroud a handful of big targets. The 6-4, 209-pound Boston took advantage of his size at Washington, where he established himself as a sure-handed red zone weapon. Boston posted a 3.1% drop rate in college and averaged 63 catches, 858 yards and 10 TDs per season from 2024-25.
The Texans already have an all-world pass-rushing duo in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, but they were intrigued enough with Lawrence to meet with him. Houston is hardly alone in that regard, as half of the league’s 32 teams held visits with Lawrence before Wednesday’s deadline. After combining for 27.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks from 2023-25, Lawrence upped his stock at the Combine in February. The 6-4, 253-pounder ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, which ranked second among edge defenders. He also placed second in the 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump (via PFF College).
Lawrence would begin his career in a depth role in Houston, which saw Anderson and Hunter record respective defensive snap shares of 66.79% and 70.07% in 2025. Anderson and Hunter are under Texans control for the next two years, but the former is likely to stick around for longer on a record-breaking extension. Hunter landed a massive deal of his own last month, though it may be his last with the Texans. He will be 33 when the pact expires. The Texans could develop Lawrence as a replacement if they draft him and he shows he is worthy of a promotion to a starting job by 2028.
WR Denzel Boston Visits Ravens, Jets
The list of teams with interest in Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston continues to grow. Boston is visiting the Ravens and Jets on Saturday, per reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
As PFR’s archives show, Boston has set up meetings with at least eight teams in the lead-up to the draft. The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder has long been considered a potential first-rounder. Some teams are bullish enough on Boston to rank him the second- or third-best receiver in a class that also includes the likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, Jordyn Tyson and Omar Cooper Jr.
Boston began his four-year run at Washington on a squad loaded with quality receivers. Future NFLers Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’lynn Polk were among the Huskies’ go-to wideouts from 2022-23, which limited Boston to seven catches in his first two years. Odunze, McMillan and Polk left for the pros in 2024, setting the stage for a Boston breakout. Over his last two years in school, Boston averaged 63 catches, 858 yards and 10 touchdowns per season. Known as a sure-handed red zone weapon, Boston registered a paltry 3.1% drop rate at Washington.
The Ravens, who own the 14th pick in the first round, have a star No. 1 receiver in Zay Flowers. But none of their other returning wideouts even reached 20 catches or 225 yards in 2025. While Rashod Bateman was a starter in Baltimore for most of the past three seasons, he has come up in trade rumors after a down year. Even if Bateman sticks around, there is room for the Ravens to make a significant addition at receiver in the draft.
Like the Ravens, the Jets have a bona fide top receiver (Garrett Wilson) and not much else. While Adonai Mitchell showed flashes after coming over in the Sauce Gardner trade with the Colts in November, the 2024 second-rounder remains unproven. The Jets have six other receivers under contract, but the group of Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith, Quentin Skinner, Jamaal Pritchett, Mac Dalena and Irvin Charles combined for a mere 34 catches last season.
There is a clear need at receiver in New York, though the team will not go in that direction with its first pick (No. 2 overall). Expectations are the Jets will use their top choice on a blue-chip defender such as David Bailey, Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, but they could turn their attention to receiver at 16th or 33rd overall.
Panthers Host WR Denzel Boston
The Panthers have used their last two first-round picks on the wide receiver position. While it seems unlikely that they’d go that route again, the team is at least keeping an open mind as the draft quickly approaches. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Panthers hosted Washington WR Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit today.
Boston played behind the likes of Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk during his first two years with the Huskies, but he finally had a chance to lead the depth chart in 2024. He had a breakout campaign that year, finishing with 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. He didn’t take a significant leap during his senior season, but he still finished with a notable 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 scores.
Those performances were enough to put him on the NFL map. He’s definitively behind the likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr., Jordyn Tyson, and KC Concepcion on most pundits’ draft boards, although there are some teams that reportedly have him ranked in the top two at his position.
There’s a chance he hears his name called on the first night of the draft, especially since he’s drawn interest from the Dolphins, Commanders, Steelers, 49ers, and Browns. Boston has generally been mocked towards the end of the first round or early in the second round, so it would be a slight reach if the Panthers selected him with the No. 19 pick.
The Panthers have focused on surrounding 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young with as much talent as possible in recent drafts. While 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, the team did get a standout performance from 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after finishing with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that McMillan played two collegiate seasons at Arizona under Jedd Fisch…who most recently spent two seasons coaching Boston at Washington. The Panthers may decide to take one more crack at that pipeline, especially if they’ve determined that Legette isn’t destined to be a top-end WR. Even if the team is still high on Legette, Boston could easily slide into a depth chart that otherwise features Jalen Coker, David Moore, and John Metchie.
Dolphins To Host WR Denzel Boston
With his stock seemingly on the rise two-plus weeks from the draft, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston has booked another “30” visit. He will trek to Dolphins headquarters next week, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Boston was already considered a potential first-round pick entering Tuesday. An eye-opening report then surfaced indicating some teams regard Boston as one of the two or three best receivers in this draft class. If true, that puts Boston in company with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon. Either or each of those two could go inside the top 10 or at least in the first half of the opening round.
The Dolphins own the 11th and 30th overall picks, prime spots to upgrade a barren receiving corps. If Miami selects Boston, he would immediately become its most talented pass catcher. The Dolphins traded No. 1 option Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos last month. The deal netted the Dolphins their second first-rounder (among other choices), but it left new starting quarterback Malik Willis with no real receiving threats other than running back De’Von Achane.
Malik Washington, who averaged a paltry 6.9 yards per catch on 46 receptions last season, and cheap free agent pickups Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are likely Miami’s top receivers right now. That figures to change in a couple of weeks, whether the Dolphins use a high pick on Boston or another wideout.
The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Boston was a sure-handed red zone threat at Washington, where he averaged 63 catches, 858 yards and 10 touchdowns per year over the previous two seasons. Ranking Boston as the 27th-best prospect in this class, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com likens him to Broncos standout Courtland Sutton. Along with the Dolphins, Boston has booked visits with the Commanders, Steelers, 49ers and Browns.
Some Teams View Denzel Boston As Top-Two WR In Class
Playing all four of his college seasons at Washington, Denzel Boston did not see much time during the then-Pac-12 program’s Michael Penix Jr. years. But Boston made a big leap over the past two seasons, with some teams viewing that jump as more impressive than mock drafters would seem to believe.
The consensus among the latter community has Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon residing as this draft class’ premier receiver prospects, with Jordyn Tyson regularly going off the board before Boston as well. But some teams view the big-bodied target this crop’s second- or third-best wideout, according to ESPN.com’s Peter Schrager.
Boston has been a regular on the “30” visit circuit, thus far meeting with the Browns, Commanders, Steelers and 49ers. With the exception of Washington (No. 7 overall), those teams hold first-round picks in the 20s (Cleveland holds Nos. 6 and 24). If anything, Boston’s stock may have been trending downward in recent days/weeks. ESPN.com’s previous mock draft placed the Huskies standout 35th, while Daniel Jeremiah’s most recent NFL.com mock draft also has Boston outside the first round. Schrager has him going 23rd to the Eagles, indicating Howie Roseman and Washington HC Jedd Fisch are longtime friends going back to college.
While an Eagles play for Boston could certainly signal they are ready to move on from A.J. Brown (at a high price) after June 1, Boston leapfrogging the likes of Lemon, Tyson or Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. — whom Jeremiah sends to the Jets at No. 16 — would mark a notable misevaluation from several prominent draft experts. Both Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.-Field Yates-Jordan Reid mock also have Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion going off the board before Boston as well.
Receiving Mike Evans and Courtland Sutton comps, Boston checked in at 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds at the Combine. He did not run the 40-yard dash. Boston followed an 834-yard, nine-touchdown sophomore season with an 881-yard, 11-TD junior slate. Boston’s catch radius will make him an attractive red zone threat at the next level, and he averaged 14.2 yards per reception last season.
Jeremiah’s big board places Tate sixth, Lemon 12th, Cooper 18th, Tyson 21st and Boston 27th. Tyson’s stock looks to be moving down a bit — at least, the most recent reporting indicates as such — as he no longer is hobnobbing near the Tate-Lemon tier. It will be interesting to see where Boston’s goes over the next two-plus weeks, as we remain in visit season.