Cleveland Browns Rebuilt Offense, Should Be Much Better in 2026 | Deadspin.com Last year was quite a disaster for the Cleveland Browns. The defense led by Myles Garrett looked great for most of the season, but was let down by the worst offense in the sport at almost every turn. That being said, the plan moving forward is pretty simple: improve the offense at all costs.
It hasn’t been the flashiest upgrades for the Browns, but you can absolutely say that entering the start of 2026, the Cleveland Browns are a better football team than the year prior.
The Browns’ biggest concern starts and ends with the offensive line. Cleveland had a historically bad offensive line last year and should be vastly improved this season. I doubt they have an elite unit up front, but whoever is taking snaps behind that offensive line should be in a much better position than the rotating cast calling plays last year.
Spencer Fano is the “flashiest” addition to this offensive line. Fano is projected to be the Browns starting left tackle this year, but I’m not sure if that will be his forever position. He has a smaller frame and shorter arms for a left tackle, but his tape was great at Utah last year. No matter the case, he will be an immediate improvement for the Browns.
Cleveland continued with their o-line overhaul by signing veterans Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson. These two were slightly overpaid, but the Browns needed so much help that it doesn’t really matter how they got it done. The last big addition on the line was trading a 5th-rounder to the Texans for Tytus Howard. Houston felt like they wouldn’t be able to afford Howard, so it was a no-doubt move for the Browns.
It’s not the first time these two teams have traded; the more well-known move was Houston’s trade of Deshaun Watson to the Browns. That move has been a well-documented disaster, but with the added offensive line help and two solid receiver picks early in the draft in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, Cleveland will be more potent on offense, with Watson or Shedeur Sanders playing quarterback.
Finally, the defense didn’t need a ton of help, but after losing Devin Bush to the Bears, immediately solving that issue by adding Quincy Williams was a great move.
Do I think the Browns will contend in the AFC North, or a Wild Card spot? No, not really, but this team will be far more watchable than last season. Also, if these moves end up working, you might be able to go all in on a quarterback you like in the draft. Things could be looking up in Cleveland.
#Cleveland #Browns #Rebuilt #Offense #Deadspin.com
Last year was quite a disaster for the Cleveland Browns. The defense led by Myles Garrett looked great for most of the season, but was let down by the worst offense in the sport at almost every turn. That being said, the plan moving forward is pretty simple: improve the offense at all costs.
It hasn’t been the flashiest upgrades for the Browns, but you can absolutely say that entering the start of 2026, the Cleveland Browns are a better football team than the year prior.
The Browns’ biggest concern starts and ends with the offensive line. Cleveland had a historically bad offensive line last year and should be vastly improved this season. I doubt they have an elite unit up front, but whoever is taking snaps behind that offensive line should be in a much better position than the rotating cast calling plays last year.
Spencer Fano is the “flashiest” addition to this offensive line. Fano is projected to be the Browns starting left tackle this year, but I’m not sure if that will be his forever position. He has a smaller frame and shorter arms for a left tackle, but his tape was great at Utah last year. No matter the case, he will be an immediate improvement for the Browns.
Cleveland continued with their o-line overhaul by signing veterans Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson. These two were slightly overpaid, but the Browns needed so much help that it doesn’t really matter how they got it done. The last big addition on the line was trading a 5th-rounder to the Texans for Tytus Howard. Houston felt like they wouldn’t be able to afford Howard, so it was a no-doubt move for the Browns.
It’s not the first time these two teams have traded; the more well-known move was Houston’s trade of Deshaun Watson to the Browns. That move has been a well-documented disaster, but with the added offensive line help and two solid receiver picks early in the draft in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, Cleveland will be more potent on offense, with Watson or Shedeur Sanders playing quarterback.
Finally, the defense didn’t need a ton of help, but after losing Devin Bush to the Bears, immediately solving that issue by adding Quincy Williams was a great move.
Do I think the Browns will contend in the AFC North, or a Wild Card spot? No, not really, but this team will be far more watchable than last season. Also, if these moves end up working, you might be able to go all in on a quarterback you like in the draft. Things could be looking up in Cleveland.
![Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777224369642 "Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com")
![Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com](https://i3.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777224369642?ssl=1 "Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com")
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