Browns Select OT Spencer Fano at No. 9: The Outland Trophy Winner Who Redefines Versatility

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a glaring need along the offensive line, and they didn’t hesitate to address it. In a move that sent shockwaves through the draft room and delighted analytics enthusiasts, the Browns traded back from the No. 6 overall pick and selected Spencer Fano, the Outland Trophy-winning offensive tackle from Utah, at No. 9 overall. This is not just a pick; it’s a philosophical statement from a front office that values trench warfare above all else.

The trade with the Kansas City Chiefs—sending pick No. 6 in exchange for No. 9, No. 74, and No. 148—was a masterclass in value accumulation. But the real story is the player they landed. Fano isn’t just a plug-and-play tackle; he’s a positional chameleon who brings a rare blend of power, technique, and college production that makes him arguably the most pro-ready offensive lineman in this class.

The Trade Down: Why Cleveland Moved the Podium

When the Browns were on the clock at No. 6, the phone rang. The Chiefs, desperate to jump ahead of a division rival or secure a specific defensive playmaker, offered a package that Cleveland simply couldn’t refuse. By sliding back three spots, the Browns not only kept themselves in the top ten but also added two additional Day 2 picks—the No. 74 (third round) and No. 148 (fifth round).

This is classic Andrew Berry roster construction: accumulate assets, trust the board, and never overpay for a single player. The risk was minimal. The top three offensive tackles—Fano, a tackle from Notre Dame, and a blindside protector from Alabama—were all still available at No. 9. Cleveland’s scouting department had Fano rated as the top tackle in the class due to his unique experience on both sides of the line. The trade allowed them to address the offensive line while also stocking the cupboard for depth at wide receiver, cornerback, or defensive line later in the draft.

For a team that has invested heavily in quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, protecting the pocket is non-negotiable. The Browns gave up 47 sacks last season—a number that must drop if this offense is to contend. Fano is the first brick in that wall.

Spencer Fano: The Outland Trophy Winner Who Did It All

Let’s get this straight: Spencer Fano is not a project. He is a finished product from a program that churns out NFL-ready linemen like clockwork. At Utah, Fano started 36 games in three seasons, but what separates him from his peers is the sheer diversity of his resume.

• 2023 (Freshman): Started 11 games at left tackle and 1 game at right tackle. Showed immediate poise protecting the blind side of a pro-style offense.
• 2024 (Sophomore): Moved to right tackle full-time. Started all 13 games. Earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
• 2025 (Junior): Dominated at right tackle. Won the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and the Outland Trophy (awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman).

In total, Fano started 25 games at right tackle and 11 games at left tackle. That is not a typo. He is equally comfortable anchoring on the left side against speed rushers or mauling on the right side in the run game. For a Browns team that currently has Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle and Jack Conklin at right tackle—both of whom have injury histories—Fano’s versatility is a luxury. He can start immediately at right tackle and slide over to left tackle if Wills goes down, without missing a beat.

“He’s a technician with a mean streak,” one AFC scout told me. “He doesn’t just block you; he finishes you. And he’s smart enough to call out protections and adjust on the fly. That’s rare for a 21-year-old.”

Expert Analysis: How Fano Fits the Browns’ Scheme

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan is widely regarded as the best in the business. He has turned late-round picks into Pro Bowlers and transformed raw athletes into technicians. With Fano, Callahan gets a player who already has a foundation of advanced hand placement, pad level, and footwork.

Fano’s film from 2025 is a clinic. Against the Big 12’s best pass rushers, he allowed only two sacks all season. His 89.2 pass-blocking grade (per Pro Football Focus) was the highest among all Power Four tackles. But where he truly shines is in the run game. The Browns want to be a downhill, physical offense. Fano excels at climbing to the second level, sealing off linebackers, and driving defenders off the ball. His combination of a 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame with 33-inch arms and a 4.95-second 40-yard dash is rare for a man his size.

One area of concern? Fano can occasionally get caught leaning against elite inside counters. But that is a coachable flaw. Under Callahan, he will learn to keep his base wider and his hips square. The ceiling here is All-Pro.

Prediction for Year 1: Fano starts Week 1 at right tackle. Conklin moves to left guard or becomes a swing tackle. The Browns’ run game jumps from 16th to top 10 in rushing yards. Fano allows no more than 4 sacks as a rookie.

The Bigger Picture: Cleveland’s Window Just Got Wider

This draft pick is about more than 2025. It’s about the next four years. The Browns have a quarterback in Deshaun Watson who is at his best when he can step up in a clean pocket. They have a running back in Nick Chubb who is returning from a devastating knee injury. They have a defense that is championship-caliber. The only missing piece was a consistent, durable offensive line.

By trading back and still landing Fano, the Browns did something that few teams can pull off: they got their guy and got richer. The No. 74 pick (third round) could be used to add a speed receiver, a cornerback to replace Greg Newsome II, or a defensive tackle to rotate with Dalvin Tomlinson. The No. 148 pick is a dart throw that could yield a special teams ace or a developmental tight end.

But the headliner is Fano. He is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. Watson will have more time. Chubb will have more holes. The play-action game will open up. And the Browns will finally have an offensive line that can bully opposing defenses in December and January.

“We wanted a guy who embodies Cleveland football—tough, smart, and versatile,” said general manager Andrew Berry after the pick. “Spencer is that guy. He’s a Brown.”

Final Verdict: A Home Run for the Dawg Pound

The Browns needed a tackle. They got the best one in the draft. They needed to acquire more picks. They got two extra selections. They needed a player who could start immediately and grow into a cornerstone. Spencer Fano checks every box.

In a draft class loaded with talent at receiver and edge rusher, Cleveland stayed disciplined. They didn’t chase the shiny object. They went back to the foundation of winning football: the offensive line. And with Fano, they got a player who is already a Outland Trophy winner, a Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, and a proven two-side starter.

Grade for the pick: A.

The Browns’ window is open. Spencer Fano just kicked the door down.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.