Mel Kiper Praises Browns for ‘Hitting Two Big Needs' in Round 1

The Cleveland Browns entered the first round of the 2026 NFL draft with several positions of need, but most assumed they'd address the offensive line and wide receiver positions.

The team didn't disappoint, picking an offensive tackle with its first first-rounder and a receiver with its second, but what caught the eye of ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper was the fact they were able to hit both OT and WR while also trading back with the Kansas City Chiefs and picking up an extra third-round pick (74 overall) and an extra fifth-rounder (148 overall).

"Picking up extra middle-round picks after trading back from No. 6? That’s impressive work by general manager Andrew Berry," Kiper said.

With the ninth overall pick, the Browns grabbed Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Kiper's No. 2-ranked offensive tackle, and with the 24th overall pick, they took fast-rising Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion.

MORE BROWNS NEWS:Browns Use Second First-Round Pick on Weapon for Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland's two selections earned some high praise from Kiper, who declared the Browns one of six winners from the first round of the draft.

"Cleveland is remaking this line, bringing in Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, but Fano is going to be the key option,: Kiper wrote. "He plays with power and quickness, and he gave up only one sack over the past two seasons. The question now: Will he stay at tackle, or will his 32⅛-inch arms kick him inside?

"The next Browns pick checked the other box. To be clear, I thought Concepcion might fall a little bit, and he was my eighth-best receiver. I’m not sure he was the right receiver to take here. But he’s explosive and can do work underneath. Not quite an A-plus first round - Denzel Boston would have done it for me there - but I have to give Cleveland praise for hitting its two big needs and getting some picks back in a trade."

No one is happier about what Cleveland did in the first round than quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The team got him a Pro Bowl-caliber blindside blocker and a legitimate WR1 to throw to opposite Jerry Jeudy. Sanders may not be Cleveland's QB1 in 2027, but he at least has a better chance of proving he's a franchise QB now than he did 24 hours ago.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 11:58 AM.