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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Cleveland Browns didn't use their earliest pick on Spencer Fano expecting him to sit back and watch. They drafted him to compete.
That competition is already one of the biggest storylines coming out of Browns training camp, as Fano goes up against veteran Dawand Jones for the starting left tackle job. Despite being the team's first-round selection and one of the top offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland isn't simply handing him a spot.
The NFL doesn't care where a player was drafted once they take the field. Fano still has to prove he can handle the speed, strength and consistency required to protect a quarterback at the highest level. So far, he's getting that chance.
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Fano has been rotating between the first and second teams during camp, giving the coaching staff a close look at how he handles different situations. He's also gotten reps protecting quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders, which gives him valuable experience against different looks and different levels of pressure.
For a young offensive tackle, those reps are critical.
The Browns have been searching for stability along the offensive line, and finding a long-term answer at left tackle would be a major win. Protecting the quarterback starts with having someone reliable on the edge, and Cleveland believes Fano has the tools to become that player.
But potential and production are two different things. Rookie offensive linemen often face one of the toughest adjustments in football. The players across from them are stronger, smarter and much less forgiving than what they saw in college. There are going to be rough moments along the way.
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The question is how quickly Fano can learn from them. That's what makes him the player to watch in Cleveland.
The Browns didn't draft Fano ninth overall just because of what he could become years from now. They believe he can help them sooner rather than later.
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