Charlie Campbell
Browns Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington – Round 2 
The Browns entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a big need at receiver. The production they got from their wideouts in 2025 was pitiful, and they had to get more playmakers for Todd Monken’s offense. After taking K.C. Concepcion in the first round, Cleveland double-dipped at the position when they took Boston in the second round, and I think they came away with a good player who will quickly become a solid contributor.
In the passing-driven NFL, teams are always on the lookout for mismatch receivers, and the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Boston brings that type of ability. Boston is a tall receiver with a large wingspan who presents a large catch radius for his quarterback. With his height, length, and leaping ability, Boston is a problem for defenses even when he is blanketed in coverage, as he will make big plays with leaping grabs over defensive backs. Boston is a red zone weapon that looks like an outside receiver to attack defenses. In the condensed part of the field, Boston is a real weapon, and his 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons are not a fluke. He can box out, leap over, and uncover to get open for his quarterback. Boston should be a real asset for his team to produce touchdowns.
Aside from his size mismatch, Boston has other strengths that make him a viable prospect for the NFL. He shows some nice suddenness and twitch out of his break for a big receiver. Boston tracks passes very well downfield and attacks the ball with late hands that make it more difficult for defensive backs to break up receptions. Boston high points the ball well and has an excellent feel to finish the reception. Boston flashed some run-after-the-catch ability in college, but he could stand to be more physical as a runner. Boston also has very good hands and has had very few drops during his first season as a starter.
The Browns have little production to show from their receivers in 2025, so Boston should be able to compete immediately. Concepcion could be a nice receiver to create big plays and is dangerous with the ball in his hands, but Boston could be the more consistent possessional receiver to work the middle of the field and the sideline. I could see Boston quickly becoming a solid starter for Cleveland and having a good pro career with the Browns.
2025: Jahdae Barron, CB
2024: Bo Nix, QB
2023: Drew Sanders, OLB
2022: Nik Bonitto, OLB
2021: Patrick Surtain, CB
2020: K.J. Hamler, WR
2019: Drew Lock, QB
2018: Courtland Sutton, WR
2017: Demarcus Walker, DE
2016: Devontae Booker, RB
2015: Jeff Heuerman, TE
2014: Lamin Barrow, LB
2013: Sylvester Williams, DE
Most Likely To Bust
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo – Round 2
Many in the media thought McNeil-Warren could be a first-round pick. Prior to the draft, I surveyed team sources, and a majority of them had McNeil-Warren graded on day two. However, there was one that had him as a first, and in the final days before the draft, I knew a team picking late in the first round had McNeil-Warren as an option for their first-round pick. However, McNeil-Warren slid deep into the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. From speaking with team sources, there weren’t enough teams that viewed him as a first-rounder for Warren to go that high. The consensus of him being a day-two prospect was too widespread, and that is why Warren slid to where more teams had him graded.
The Browns entered the draft in need of more talent at safety, and McNeil-Warren could compete for playing time quickly. In pass coverage, McNeil-Warren is adept at playing zone coverage in the short to intermediate part of the field. He is a physical presence and an enforcer who will dish out some hard hits on receivers. McNeil-Warren has the size and ability to help in man coverage on tight ends, but he lacks the speed to run with pro receivers, so he is not a safety that should move to slot corner in the NFL. Pro receivers will run by him and be able to shake loose to get separation. With some speed limitations, McNeil-Warren also does not profile as a deep free safety that can take away the deep part of the field from NFL speed receivers. McNeil-Warren is a strong safety zone coverage safety to help defend the short to middle portion of the field. In the current NFL, safeties with coverage limitations can get picked on often, so McNeil-Warren needs development.
McNeil-Warren is going to face a big jump in competition, and he could be targeted by pro receivers. I think he could become a solid starting strong safety, but of the Browns’ early-round picks, McNeil-Warren has the most bust potential.
2025: Pat Bryant, WR
2024: None
2023: None
2022: Greg Dulcich, TE
2021: Baron Browning, LB
2020: McTelvin Agim, DT
2019: Dalton Risner, OT
2018: Isaac Yiadom, CB
2017: Carlos Henderson, WR
2016: Justin Simmons, S
2015: Ty Sambrailo, OT
2014: Bradley Roby, CB
2013: Montee Ball, RB
Potential Boom Pick
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah – Round 1 
The Browns entered the draft with a huge need for offensive tackle help and a long-term starter at left tackle. They targeted Fano and were able to land him after trading down with Kansas City. Fano has a great skill set, tons of upside, and has great character.
For the NFL, there is a lot to like about Fano as an edge blocker. He has good size, quickness, athleticism, and strength. It can be difficult to find players with Fano’s well-rounded skill set, and on top of his physical talent, Fano plays the game with a nasty demeanor and looks like he enjoys the violence of football.
In pass protection, Fano has a lot of natural ability to help protect the quarterback. Fano is an athletic edge blocker who is an easy mover. He has good agility to get depth in his drop and quick feet to seal the edge from speed rushers. Fano can play the typewriter with his feet to mirror speed rushers, and he can sink his weight to stonewall bull rushes. Fano has the natural strength to stop bull rushers. However, Fano is very inconsistent. He really has problems with moves to the inside as he gives up pressure from stunts, spins, and cuts to the inside. Fano has tools to stop speed or power rushers, but he is very inconsistent and gets caught by surprise too often.
In the ground game, Fano can be impressive with his movement. He is quick to fire to the second level and is athletic enough to hit blocks in space. Fano packs a punch when he gets there, and he will smash defenders with violence. Fano blocks through the whistle and looks to finish off defenders. There are many plays where Fano will bury defenders in the ground and punish them. Fano packs some physcality off the ball, but he could use more strength to sustain blocks and drive block in power man plays. He could be a good fit in a zone blocking scheme at the pro level.
The Browns will move Fano to left tackle, and he has the skill set to play the position in the NFL. With some development, I think Fano has Pro Bowl potential and could be a boom pick for Cleveland.
2025: R.J. Harvey, RB
2024: None
2023: None
2022: None
2021: None
2021: Javonte Williams, RB
2020: Jerry Jeudy, WR
2019: Noah Fant, TE
2018: Bradley Chubb, DE
2017: Garett Bolles, OT
2016: Paxton Lynch, QB
2015: Shane Ray, LB
2014: Cody Latimer, WR
2013: Quanterus Smith, DE
Future Depth Player
Austin Barber, OT, Florida – Round 3 
After trading for Tytus Howard and then drafting Spencer Fano, the Browns were set with their starting tackles heading into the second day of the draft. But they weren’t done as they added Barber in the third round. While Barber may not become a starter, he could be a solid swing tackle backup for Cleveland. Barber has a lot of experience in the SEC, and he has improved over his time with the Gators. In time, Barber might turn into a viable starting candidate to replace Howard, but even if he doesn’t, he should be a solid backup for Cleveland.
2025: Sai’vion Jones, DE
2024: Troy Franklin, WR
2023: Marvin Mims, WR
2022: Damarri Mathis, CB
2021: Caden Sterns, S
2020: Albert Okweugbunam, TE
2019: Dre’Mont Jones, DT
2018: Daesean Hamilton, WR
2017: Brendan Langley, CB
2016: Connor McGovern, G
2015: Max Garcis, C
2014: Corey Nelson, LB
2013: Kayvon Webster, CB
Walt
